Quotes from STUFF my bold - [TROUBLED WATERS 1998: The $106 million Aratere is built in Spain. Within a year of its delivery, the crew dub it "El Lemon". 1999: Power failures bring Aratere to a standstill in February and May. In September, smoke in the engine room sends 250 passengers and 40 crew scurrying to emergency stations. 2000: A liferaft falls off while docked in Wellington in June. In December, it blows a piston engine. 2004: Passengers on Aratere have a nightmare eight-hour journey from Picton to Wellington after the ship breaks down in mountainous seas. 2006: Aratere rams the trawler San Domenico in high winds in July while berthing in Wellington Harbour. In February, the Arahura loses power while in Wellington Harbour with 200 passengers on board. 2011: Aratere sails for Singapore for $54 million refit. Returns behind schedule, with rats on board. On November 7, all three Interislander ferries were out of action at once. 2013: Aratere loses one of its propellers in Cook Strait, putting it out of action for the busy summer season. 2023: The Kaitaki lost power and drifted towards rocks in Wellington in January. Two harbour tugs raced to the rescue but would have been almost powerless to help of the ship as the capital had got rid of tugs with open water salvage capability.]
