DEV Aratere is a roll-on/roll-off rail and vehicle ferry operated by KiwiRailinNew Zealand. Built in 1998 for the then private company Tranz Rail and lengthened in 2011, she operates four daily crossings on the Interislander service across Cook Strait from WellingtontoPicton each day (with six crossings over the December/January period).
In 1997, Tranz Rail ordered a new ferry to replace the Aratika. The shipbuilding contract for the new vessel, named Aratere, was awarded to Hijos de J. Barreras in Vigo, Spain.[2]
She was laid down in November 1997 and launched on September 8, 1998, just under a year later, being handed over to Tranz Rail on December 16, 1998.[3]
Aratere departed Spain for New Zealand on December 16, 1998. Her voyage took longer than anticipated. On December 20, fuses on the Starboard Motors blew. When the replacement fuses were fitted, they blew as well. The following day, the Couplings connecting the Gearboxes with the Port Motors failed, leaving Aratere adrift in the South Atlantic. The couplings were removed from the Starboard Motor and used for the Port Ones. [4]
In 2011, Aratere underwent a $52 million refit at the Sembawang shipyard in Singapore,[5] increasing her capacity from 360 to 600 passengers. The refit included a new bow and stern. The ship was lengthened by cutting it in half to insert a new 30-metre (98 ft) midsection.[6]
Aratere has been involved in several technical problems and engine failures over her years in service. There is no official relationship between these incidents, though the media have stoked speculation that the ferry may be jinxed and she has earned the nickname "El Lemon".[7][8]
1 October 2004 - "30 seconds of potential disaster" after Aratere had a steering fault in the Marlborough Sounds.[11]
10 February 2005 - Aratere was detained after a "crisis of confidence" with inspectors noting that she had arrived from Spain six years earlier in a shocking state. They could no longer allow her to operate as she was [12] She was eventually allowed to sail again on 15 March.[13][14]
After the extensive refit carried out in Singapore in 2011, she has once again experienced numerous incidents, including engine failures.[15] On 2 November 2011 Maritime NZ ordered the ship to stop operating until proven safe.[16]
On 5 November 2013, Aratere snapped a drive shaft, losing a propeller in Cook Strait. This initially forced the ship out of service, causing disruption to Interislander schedules.[17][18] Subsequently, the ship was allowed to make freight only crossings with only one propeller for propulsion.[19]
Profile of Aratere in 2009, prior to her lengthening
Aratere has both rail and vehicle decks. These can be loaded simultaneously through the stern via a double linkspan. A lower hold has additional space for cars, though access to this hold was blocked off after the refit in Singapore.[20]
Aratere operates six crossings of the Cook Strait each day (three passenger, three freight). In late 2009, Aratere celebrated her 20,000th crossing, having travelled around 2 million kilometres.[21]
New Zealand
