Cruise ships 'Azamara Onward' (left) and 'Carnival Splendor' are joined at Port Chalmers by two tugboats, which aided the former after two lines disconnected while it was berthed yesterday. Two lines securing Azamara Onward to the Port Chalmers container terminal "parted safely" under the strain of the wind, Port Otago marine and infrastructure general manager Grant Bicknell said. Port Otago had been prepared for the strong winds since Friday and had tugboats on standby, he said. The captain of Azamara Onward contacted harbour control to notify them of the wind and raised concerns about the lines. Most cruise ships used self-tensioning winches to keep the lines at an even tension.

Source: Otago Daily Times February 22, 2026 16:56 UTC