Singapore-based shipbuilder PaxOcean has completed repairs to KiwiRail’s ferry Kaitaki as well as performed additional work on the vessel’s propulsion and steering equipment.
Kaitaki returned to service on September 26 following her extensive winter maintenance work, restoring the two-ship timetable under KiwiRail’s Interislander brand.
Interislander had previously advised that the vessel was due back in early October after scheduled drydock maintenance in Singapore.
PaxOcean said additional mechanical work became necessary during the repair. This included removal of the controllable-pitch propeller (CPP) shafts and machining of the CPP hubs, together with removal and machining of the rudder.
PaxOcean’s yard team worked with the owner and specialist contractors Mencast Marine and the Lam Heng Group to manage the added scope.
KiwiRail said the work was scheduled for winter to lessen disruption to passengers and freight customers and prepare the vessel for the busy summer period. It said the maintenance was needed to keep the ferry operating safely and reliably until replacement ferries arrive.
Interislander introduced revised sailing times alongside Kaitaki’s return. The Wellington-to-Picton morning departure moved from 08:45 to 08:30, while the Picton-to-Wellington sailing moved from 14:15 to 14:00 under the updated two-ship timetable.
KiwiRail said the revised timetable was intended to make operations more dependable and improve links with the Coastal Pacific train.
