DEV Aratere
 | This article includes a list of references, related reading, or external links, but its sources remain unclear because it lacks inline citations. (March 2008) |
 MV Aratere
| |
| History | |
|---|---|
| Name | Aratere |
| Operator | Interislander |
| Port of registry | Wellington,  New Zealand |
| Route | Wellington to Picton |
| Builder | Astillero Barreras, Spain |
| Cost | NZ$132 million |
| Yard number | 1570 |
| Launched | 1998 |
| Christened | 1999 |
| Status | In service |
| General characteristics | |
| Tonnage | 12596 tonnes |
| Length | Template:M to ft in |
| Beam | Template:M to ft in |
| Draft | Template:M to ft in |
| Decks | 6 |
| Installed power | Four Wartsila 8L32 diesel engines, each producing 3600 kilowatts at 750 rpm |
| Propulsion | Fixed propellers, each four blades inward turning |
| Speed | 19.5 knots (36.1 km/h) |
| Capacity | list error: <br /> list (help) 360 passengers 130 cars 60 rail wagons |
| Crew | 39 |
The DEV (Diesel Electric Vessel) Aratere is a roll-on roll-off rail and vehicle ferry in service for Interislander in New Zealand. The ferry was built for Tranz Rail, now Kiwirail, in 1998 to replace the aging MV Aratika. The name Aratere means "Quick Path" in the Māori language.
Jinxed
The Aratere is infamous for having been involved in several technical problems and engine failures over its years in service. There is no official relationship between these incidents, though the media have stoked speculation that the ferry may be jinxed. These incidents have dropped away in the past few years, and she now operates six crossings each day (three passenger, three freight). Notable incidents have included:
- 25 February 1999 - An engine failure.
- 14 June 2000 - In a safety trial, an empty liferaft falls 20 metres.
- 18 December 2000 - An engine malfunction.
- 6 February 2001 - Aratere is sent to Auckland for a repair job due to the frequent breakdowns and late sailings.
- 6 July 2003 - The ferry smashes into a fishing boat in stormy weather. The skipper was later discovered to have had sleeping disorder.
- 23 July 2004 - After a breakdown in bad weather, the ferry takes 8 hours to get to Wellington (as opposed to the usual approximate 3 hour journey).
- 17 September 2004 - 20 litres of pesticide are spilled onto the ferry's deck after a container burst.
- 1 October 2004 - "30 seconds of potential disaster" after the Aratere has a steering fault in the Marlborough Sounds.
- 10 February 2005 - The Aratere is detained after a "crisis of confidence" (it was allowed to sail again on 15 March).
- 17 March 2005 - The Aratere is detained again after another technical fault on its first voyage after being detained the first time.
- 21 April 2005 - The ferry nearly collides with a tanker.
- 9 May 2005 - Another technical fault causes an investigation.
- 18 June 2005 - The master of the ferry is given a ban on sailing the Cook Strait after nearly running The Aratere aground.
- 24 June 2005 - More technical problems.
- 21 July 2005 - The Aratere is "5 seconds" from smashing into rocks in Tory Channel.
- 20 April 2006 - The Aratere loses power in the middle of Tory Channel.
- 5 January 2009 - During a safety trial, a coupling holding a lifeboat fails and causes the lifeboat to fall and float away.
References
- New Zealand Herald Aratere-related articles
- Dominion Post (Wellington, New Zealand) Aratere-related articles