Auckland’s accelerated ferry training programme
On 1 October 2023, some ferry services and timetables were changed to allow for training and upskilling of our staff and new recruits.
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What's happening
Auckland Transport, Fullers360 and the New Zealand Government worked together to rectify a shortage of qualified maritime crew and improve the reliability issues experienced by people using Auckland’s ferry network.
Fullers360 implemented a ferry accelerated training programme to upskill existing ferry crew and train new local and international crew for our ferries. This programme was designed to get crew their qualifications in a faster timeframe, to get them out on the water and transporting customers as soon as possible.
To support the training programme, some AT ferry services were being temporarily removed or reduced so Fullers360 could dedicate vessels and time to undertake this massive training programme.
We understand this was inconvenient for people using the affected ferries. However, this training programme helped us to increase ferry services across Auckland and improve reliability. Our priority during this time was to make sure there were still public transport options to get to and from the city.
Impacted services updates
1 October 2023
Gulf Harbour and Half Moon Bay ferry services began operating with reduced timetables. Additional bus services are running to provide a travel option for some of the removed ferry sailings.
12 February 2024
Additional Gulf Harbour morning and afternoon sailings were added. All morning and one afternoon Gulf Harbour ferry replacement bus services were removed as they are no longer required.
4 June 2024
Half Moon Bay weekday inter-peak and evening sailings were restored. Weekday inter-peak Half Moon Bay ferry replacement buses were removed as they were no longer required.
9 September 2024
Gulf Harbour ferry services were returned to their normal 2023 timetable.
Ferry replacement bus services departing the city centre at 5:30pm and 6:30pm on weekdays would no longer operate (as they were no longer needed).
Route 988 bus services returned to their normal route and timetable.
17 November 2024
Half Moon Bay weekend sailings were restored.
Alternative transport options
We provided additional bus services to support ferry customers impacted by the changes.
Gulf Harbour ferry survey
From 6 to 25 December 2023, AT and Fullers360 conducted an online survey to better understand time preferences when travelling on the Gulf Harbour ferry.
We asked respondents what time they’d want to arrive in the city and what time they’d want to arrive at Gulf Harbour.
The survey was advertised on the ferry and at the Gulf Harbour and Downtown ferry terminals. It was also promoted via the AT Mobile app and social media.
New morning and afternoon sailings were added from 12 February 2024. We used information from the 588 submissions we received to determine the departure times of these sailings.
About the ferry accelerated training programme
Fullers360 need to train approximately 12 full sets of crew to operate all ferry routes. Typically, the pathway to become a skipper is 3 to 5 years, but this programme works to fast track up to 30 crew into qualified positions (deckhand or skipper) over 14 to 18 months.
Auckland Transport and Waka Kotahi are also investing in upgrading vessels and bringing in new electric ferries, which will reduce the number of breakdowns and maintenance issues that also impact ferry reliability.
Ferries have an important role to play in offering travel choices and we appreciate the inconvenience this causes for our communities that rely on our ferry network. During the programme, we will work hard to ensure that buses have enhanced capacity to support customers.