Lengthy crossing

Wellington: Hundreds of ferry passengers spent more than the equivalent time of a flight to Los Angeles before their ferry finally arrived in Picton, thanks to galeforce winds.

Kaitiaki left Wellington at 9am yesterday with 570 passengers aboard, and was due to arrive at 12.30pm, but finally berthed at 9.10pm.

Passengers on the smaller

Bluebridge Feronia ferry left Wellington at 8am and at 8.30pm yesterday was still in the Marlborough Sounds waiting for the winds to die down. — The New Zealand Herald