Government urged to intervene in Cook Strait ferry woes

By Bill Hickman of RNZ Marlborough Chamber of Commerce says uncertainty over the service is hurting the region’s business and tourism Stephen Waters says the Government needs to clear up what it’s going to do Maritime Union says only luck prevented a tragedy from occurring on the unreliable ships Marine consultant John Riding says the shutdown could have been “much more difficult to resolve” There are fears lives could be lost if the Government does not step in to bring the country’s ailing Cook Strait ferry services up to scratch. The Bluebridge ferry Connemara drifted for nearly two hours after it lost power on Thursday night. There were 24 passengers and 13 freight drivers on the overnight sailing when the power cut out just after 10.

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