Curious City
PILOTING WELLINGTON'S TUGS
It looks like something straight out of a professional gamer’s lair. Every day, CentrePort tugmaster Joshua Rodgers clambers into his futuristic-looking seat, surrounded by a handful of computer screens.
Tasked with helping to guide ships safely into Wellington’s port, Rodgers – pictured right – uses two hand controls which look like joysticks. When asked whether it takes him back to the days of the Commodore 64 computer, he chuckles.
The panoramic views from Rodger’s seat are breathtaking. But, at times, the Cook Strait can be a cruel mistress, often battered by bad weather and even worse winds.
Tugboat engineer Paul Bird has worked in this industry since the late 1980s and describes the oft treacherous piece of water as ‘‘having many moods’’.
The day we venture out, the sea is uncharacteristically calm. So much so that a pilot from CentrePort’s other tug chimes in over the radio, suggesting our visual journalist ‘‘Photoshops some white caps’’ into our video footage. ‘‘No-one will believe it’s the Strait,’’ he laughs. Too right. The Tapuhi is capable of pulling 68 tonnes. It’s one of two tugs and one pilot launch operating in the harbour. ‘‘They look after the customers’ ships, bring them in to berth, lead them and take them out to port again safely and timely. We’re just there to look after them, guide them and keep them safe,’’ Rodgers explains.
Translated into Maori, Tapuhi means to nurse or to care for. Three crew work onboard the $10 million-dollar Chinese built, Dutch-designed vessel at any one time, with Rodgers and Bird joined by deckhand Olivia Harding – one of only a handful of women working in the field.
‘‘Some of the guys have been here for 45 years, so I spent a long time waiting for a job to come with ‘CuriousCity’ in the subject line. up,’’ Harding says.
It’s a far cry from her previous role working on super yachts and charter catamarans in the Caribbean.
‘‘It’s been a bit of a change for the boys. They were told to tidy up their language and watch their Ps and Qs around me, but they’ve all been great.’’
Apparently, the tidy language remains a work in progress.
On the day we visit, the team is tasked with bringing in ANL shipping company’s vessel, Elanora, into dock for a short time. The 176-metre-long container ship services New Zealand and Australian ports and has a gross tonnage of 18,327.
The Liberia-flagged vessel, built in 2007, has arrived here from Nelson before heading to Tauranga and, then, Sydney on a three-week round trip.
On the Tapuhi, we’ve just spotted a few blue penguins after skirting out deep into the harbour. The tug is surprisingly swift and nimble. After preparing to spend an hour on a beaten-down rust-bucket, it’s a pleasant surprise.
Rodgers proudly explains the Tapuhi has a top speed of around 121⁄2-knots. That’s a shade over 23kmh for the uninitiated.
Inside, the tug is a home away from home, with bunks, a cosy dining area and even a working kitchen. But downstairs is where Bird rules the roost.
Two big engines – which can generate up to 2100 kilowatts of power each – sit next to a complex tangle of pipes and generators. Propellers are used, as the vessel is rudderless.
Two Azimuth thrusters propel the tug, which aids some 14,000 commercial shipping movements each year.
As we delicately approach the Elanora, the tugboat’s crew swing into action and the radio communication increases.
Harding gives a running commentary on how much space Rodger has to work with, counting down until Tapuhi gets alongside the visiting vessel.
Long ropes are cast overboard, as the container workers watch from above.
Once the Elanora is secured, Rodgers begins the task of bringing it into port. He is more than equipped to handle the challenge, having spent his whole career in the marine industry. ‘‘I went to sea with the Danish Merchant Navy, a company called Maersk, and just worked my way through different tickets,’’ he explains.
Becoming a tugmaster has been the fulfilment of a lifelong dream. ‘‘The best part of my job is being out on the water on a nice, clear, calm day, while everyone else is the motorway ... it’s just beautiful.’’
See video at dompost.co.nz Top-level rugby at Westpac Stadium, culminating in the All Blacks’ Bledisloe Cup win on Saturday night, helped inject an estimated $13 million of new spending into Wellington’s economy.
Wellington Regional Economic Development Agency chief executive Chris Whelan said 28,500 people flocked to the capital for the Welsh test match in June, the Hurricanes’ home playoff run in July and August and the sellout trans-Tasman clash.
‘‘Our teams have had a golden run in the big matches in Wellington this year, and our economy has been a big winner as well.’’
About 12,000 people travelled to Wellington for Saturday’s match, he said.
‘‘We’ve seen more local and national victories in the Westpac Stadium than ever before. The excitement has been great for local fans and visitors who have brought welcome economic impact.’’
Meanwhile, police said they were happy with the crowd behaviour at the test, despite 19 people being evicted for intoxication.
‘‘It was a busy night in Wellington, not just at the Westpac Stadium but also at bars showing the game, and following the match and into the early hours of the morning,’’ operation commander Inspector Neil Banks said.
Just one arrest was made for disorder at the game, while four people were refused entry to the match due to intoxication.
A further 14 arrests were made for alcohol-related offending in Courtenay Place and the central business district.
Hanson blows whistle B10