Port’s new pilot boat christened
Port Taranaki’s new $3 million pilot boat Mikotahi was christened yesterday, and its crew is now eager to get aboard.
Launch master Andrea Chadfield, daughter of New Plymouth nautical stalwart Dave Chadfield, will be one of three port Taranaki staff who will pilot the bright yellow boat. ‘‘We can’t keep our hands off it,’’ she said.
The skies opened about 10am, drenching a crowd of people who had gathered along a narrow boardwalk at the lee breakwater for the launch of the aluminium boat, built by Whanganui business Q West.
Rel Squire did the honours, breaking a bottle on the side of the boat. She said she had been chosen because her husband, Grant, had overseen its build.
‘‘The entire project was a couple of years in the making from when we first started,’’ Grant said, adding that the build took about 12 months.
Mikotahi, named after a rock to the west of the port, was designed in Scotland by Carmac, and will replace Westgate as the port’s No 1 pilot launch.
Used to ferry pilots to and from ships, launch master Chadfield said Westgate would still be used as a backup.
Port Taranaki chief Roy Weaver said the boat set a new standard for health and safety throughout the country.
Q West had also built pilot boats for Port of Tauranga and Port of Napier. Rawinia was the first boat built by Q West for Port Taranaki in 2008.
Mikotahi is 19.5 metres long and almost 6m wide with a 1m draft. It weighs 27,000kg. The boat’s sprint speed is 33 knots, powered by two Scania engines. It underwent a series of trials in Whanganui before its launch. It can carry nine people. Mikotahi and its crew were blessed by the Rev Albie Martin. ‘‘Without those on board, the boat would be no good,’’ he said. The mana of its name meant Mikotahi carried the pride and love of the people of Ngati Te Whiti.