Passengers have been safely evacuated from a Waiheke Island ferry after a mayday call of a fire on board.
Ferry operator Island Direct said it has since been determined there was only smoke and no fire from one of the boat’s engines, which had an exhaust issue.
Coastguard’s Maritime Operations Centre was alerted through VHF radio at 3.40pm of the incident aboard the vessel, which was just off the island in Auckland’s Hauraki Gulf.
Eighteen passengers and crew onboard were evacuated without injury, according to Island Direct. Passengers could be seen donning lifejackets during the transfer.
A spokesperson for the Coastguard said three vessels coordinated the evacuation.
“Coastguard Howick and the police maritime unit transported Fire and Emergency NZ personnel to the ferry. Passengers were evacuated without injury.”
An Island Direct representative said smoke from the exhaust issue was “initially reported as a fire, and our engineers have now confirmed there was no fire.
“Our highly trained crew acted immediately, following emergency procedures to ensure the safety of all on board,” they said in a statement.
“Island Direct worked quickly and closely with the NZ Coastguard and Maritime Police to safely return passengers and crew to Auckland.”
A Coastguard vessel was towing the ferry, which 1News understood to have been in service for only a few days, back to shore.
A police spokesperson said officers were “notified of smoke” on the ferry.
Fire crews from Oneroa and Parnell responded to the incident and were taken to the scene by boat, according to Fire and Emergency NZ.
Auckland Transport said three Island Direct ferry sailings were cancelled as a result of an “emergency services incident” earlier today.
These included the 5.30pm and 7.30pm Matiatia to Downtown services and 6.30pm Downtown to Matiatia run, according to an app notification.
“We sincerely thank the NZ Coastguard and Maritime Police for their swift assistance,” an Island Direct spokesperson said.
“The safety of our passengers and crew is always our highest priority. We apologise to our customers for any distress or disruption this afternoon’s incident has caused.”
The ferry involved was understood to be the company’s Te Waiora — a new boat which was the upstart’s second vessel and which made its maiden sailing yesterday.
Island Direct launched in late 2023, competing against established operator Fullers.
