3 May 2021

Passengers on two Cook Strait ferries evacuated after threat

4:59 pm on 3 May 2021

A 33-year-old man has been arrested after a threat that disrupted Cook Strait ferries for several hours today.

Picton wharf, South Island.

Picton wharf, South Island. Photo: cmfotoworks/123RF

Cook Strait ferry services resumed this afternoon after a threat led police to evacuate and search two ferries this morning.

Interislander and Bluebridge ferries had been halted or delayed, while police evacuated vessels and some terminal buildings in Picton this morning.

There were delays to the 9am Kaitaki sailing from Wellington, and to the 10.45am sailing of the Aratere out of Picton as that vessel was being searched.

Police said about 2pm specialist officers had finished a search of the Interislander and Bluebridge ferry buildings and vessels in Picton, finding nothing of significance.

This afternoon, they said they had arrested a 33-year-old man, who was due to appear in the Blenheim District Court tomorrow.

They said charges were still being considered.

Interislander owner KiwRail said services were disrupted.

Bluebridge was approached for comment.