A vital part that failed with the Interislander ferry Kaitaki adrift and floating towards rocks in high winds, was long overdue for replacement.
KiwiRail is still not following recommended maintenance guidelines, according to a report by the Transport Accident Investigation Commission.
There was 864 people on board, when the ship lost power to all four engines on January the 28, and then a safety-critical rubber expansion joint ruptured meaning the engines could not be restarted.
The joint, which should be replaced every five years, was 18 years old. Adding to KiwiRail's woes, Auckland commuters were in chaos on Friday morning with essentially all train services in the city knocked out.
Soon after Wellington's train fiasco earlier in the week.
KiwiRail chief executive Peter Reidy talks to Lisa Owen.
