Government Gambling with Safety – keep an Emergency Tug on Cook Strait!

The Maritime Union of New Zealand (MUNZ) is urgently calling on the Government to reverse its decision to terminate the contract for the MMA VISION, the only dedicated emergency ocean response vessel currently protecting the Cook Strait.

Maritime Union of New Zealand National Secretary Carl Findlay says the recent failure of the Bluebridge ferry CONNEMARA, which left 200 passengers stranded in Wellington Harbour overnight due to a ramp fault, serves as a warning. He says the Connemara ramp failure is another symptom of the ongoing fragility of the Cook Strait ferry fleet.This incident follows the Kaiarahi turning back to Wellington on Friday 12 December after experiencing steering issues in the Cook Strait.“Whether Bluebridge or Interislander, we are seeing a pattern of mechanical failures in an ageing fleet pushed to its limit.”The Maritime Union says removing the emergency tug is a dangerous gamble. While the Government has announced new Interislander ferries are being procured, these are not due to arrive until 2029. “We have a three-year gap where passengers and freight are relying on worn-out ships,” says Mr Findlay. 

The MMA VISION, a high-capacity anchor handling tug with a 105-tonne bollard pull, was contracted as an interim safety measure following the Kaitaki mayday call in 2023.Mr Findlay says the MMA VISION has already proven its worth by towing the stricken tanker Golden Mind off Stewart Island and rescuing the grounded barge Manahau at Westport. 

Despite this track record, the Government plans to end the MMA VISION contract in February 2026, months ahead of schedule, citing cost savings. “The Minister of Transport is prioritizing cost over safety,” Mr Findlay says. “We need to know exactly what maritime advice Transport Minister Chris Bishop received that justifies removing our only dedicated ocean rescue capability while the ferry fleet remains in such a precarious state.” “Saving money will mean nothing if we face a disaster in the Cook Strait. The Government must maintain funding for an emergency tug based in Wellington.” 

Source: Maasmond Maritime