6:44 pm today

Strong winds disrupt Cook Strait passenger services

6:44 pm today
Bluebridge and Interislander in Picton  Marlborough sounds

Bluebridge and Interislander in Picton Marlborough sounds Photo: RNZ/ Rachel Thomas

Two ferry sailings have been cancelled, and another two delayed, due to rough conditions in the Cook Strait.

MetService forecast southerly swells of up to 4m with winds reaching just over 80 km/h.

Strong winds are expected to continue through Tuesday.

BlueBridge sailings from Wellington at 1.30pm on Monday and from Picton at 2pm were affected.

The ferry company was looking to rebook affected customers or add them to standby lists on later sailings. Availability was limited due to "peak season demand".

Two Interislander Cook Strait ferry sailings have been delayed for about two hours due to the rough seas.

The Kaitaki was scheduled to leave Picton at 2.15pm but instead left at 4.40pm.

And the Kaiarahi was due to leave Wellington at 3.30pm, but its departure was pushed to 5.20pm.

KiwiRail earlier said it was not expecting to cancel is Interislander ferry sailings but some could be delayed.

"While sea conditions may make it a little bumpy at times, cancellations are not expected. The weather conditions are resulting in some delays in departure as we take additional required steps to ensure vehicles are securely loaded for the conditions," a spokesperson said. Interislander would closely monitor conditions.

No formal weather watches or warnings were in place for the region, MetService's website showed.

"A southerly flow covers the North Island on Tuesday, while a large high in the Tasman Sea extends over the South Island, its severe weather outlooks said, noting a "strong or gale southeasterly flow" for the offshore Chatham Islands.

Meanwhile, ferry services connecting Eastbourne and Wellington City had been cancelled until at least 10am Monday because of the conditions.

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