File pic Photo: RNZ / Cole Eastham-Farrelly
A ferry passenger who saw a man allegedly assault crew members says she was terrified.
A 26-year-old man has been arrested following the incident on board a ferry from central Auckland to Waiheke on Wednesday night.
"I was on the 10.15pm ferry [to Waiheke], the boat was just about to pull out of the terminal," said the witness who asked not to be named.
"Two Fullers staff members went running towards the back of the boat, because a man was trying to jump onto the ferry."
She heard shouting coming from the back of the boat.
"They managed to get him off the boat, it pulled out again, and then he jumped back onto the boat and started punching and kicking and screaming and shouting," she said.
"This happened three times. We were pretty terrified, at one point the crew barricaded the doors."
She said at least two crew members were injured during the lengthy altercation.
"I saw staff members with cut lips and blood on them, people were punched and kicked," she said. "The boat finally left about 20 minutes later."
Police arrived after the ferry had left. "The crew announced shortly after that the man had been arrested," she said.
Police said two people were taken to hospital as a precaution.
"The bravery of the Fullers staff was amazing. They did everything they could to keep everyone safe," the witness said.
"But people shouldn't have to come to work and be assaulted. It isn't right."
She said security officers employed at the ferry terminal did not step in to help.
A spokesperson for Fullers applauded the staff's actions.
"They acted bravely and professionally in accordance with our standard operating procedures to de-escalate the situation," the company said.
"The disorderly customer was arrested and trespassed at the scene from all our vessels."
The spokesperson said Fullers would "be working closely with Auckland Transport to ask the City to address and improve security measures in and around their infrastructure".
Police said the arrested man was scheduled to appear in the Auckland District Court on 28 November, charged with multiple assault offences.
