18 Nov 2019

Cruise ship stranded in Wellington harbour

9:47 pm on 18 November 2019

Ovation of the Seas - the largest cruise ship which visits Wellington - left the harbour after earlier coming to halt due to an engine problem.

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The Ovation of the Seas became stranded in Wellington harbour. Photo: Supplied / @jackwynne

Ovation of the Seas - which can carry nearly 5000 passengers - stopped around 7.30pm this evening just off Steeple Rock after discovering a problem with their main propulsion engines.

Wellington Harbourmaster, Grant Nalder said he understands the crew discovered the mechanical fault.

"It's not something that happens often, especially the passenger ships, they have a lot of redundant systems on board compared to say, a cargo ship.

"It is unusual but the weather conditions were good and the tugs were avialable very quickly which was very positive," Harbourmaster Grant Nalder said.