Cook Strait ferry sailings cancelled as 7-metre swells forecast

9 minutes ago

File photo. Interislander and Bluebridge have cancelled multiple crossings.

Photo: RNZ / Mark Papalii

Cook Strait ferry sailings have been cancelled as swells of more than seven metres are forecast.

A southerly weather system moving up the country is bringing large swells to Cook Strait from Monday evening through to Wednesday morning.

Bluebridge's website says the 8.30pm Wellington to Picton sailing on Monday has been cut, as have three services on Tuesday morning.

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Interislander has cancelled all its Tuesday sailings.

The ferry companies say they are contacting customers who will be moved onto the next available service.

An orange heavy swell warning kicks in from Cape Terawhiti to Turakirae Head from 6am Tuesday, lasting through to the same time Wednesday.

MetService heavy swell warnings were in place for the lower North Island coast, and strong wind watches for coastal parts of Wairarapa and the Tararua District, and in the South Island, coastal parts of Clutha and Dunedin from Tuesday

Photo: Screenshot/ MetService

MetService is forecasting southerly combined waves rising to 7-8 metres by midday Tuesday, easing in the evening.

The same warning starts in Wairarapa from Turakirae Head to Mataikona from midnight on Monday through to noon on Wednesday.

"Southerly swell rising to 4 metres early Tuesday morning, then rapidly rising to 8-9 metres late Tuesday morning, easing below wave warning criteria Wednesday midday," Metservice said.

A strong wind watch is also in place in coastal parts of Wairarapa and the Tararua District on Tuesday.

It is also in effect in coastal parts of Clutha and Dunedin from 9pm on Monday.

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