Troy Stade: Maritime Union lawyer responds to Winston Peters' 'unhelpful' speculation about Aratere grounding

Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive - A podcast by Newstalk ZB - Wednesdays

One legal expert is challenging Winston Peters' speculation about what happened to the Interislander's Aratere. The ferry ran aground near Picton in June, and its detention notice has officially lifted this afternoon. The Aratere has had inspections and tests and will make a graduated return to service - beginning with freight, then trucks, then passengers. This week, NZ First asked if someone left the ship on auto-pilot while getting a coffee - then couldn't turn it off. Maritime Union lawyer Troy Stade says the crew absolutely didn't duck out for a coffee. "And it astounds me that the acting Prime Minister would raise unsubstantiated rumour and conjecture in the middle of an active investigation."  UPDATE- a leaked document revealed the autopilot button was mistakenly pressed by the crew. To learn more, click here. LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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