Hightech tug pride of Ports

DITA DE BONI samples a stateoftheart workhorse on water.

Three normally landlubbing parliamentarians have taken the opportunity to play captain of the Ports of Auckland's new tug Waipapa.

Transport Minister Mark Gosche and MPs Judith Tizard and Harry Duynhoven gave a hands-on welcome on Friday to the blue rubber-sided tug, which will be used to guide 2000 ships a year into the country's most popular port.

With the ability to turn 360 deg in choppy water - in marine-speak, twin 2200 horsepower marine diesel engines with omni-directional drive units - the tug can deliver a bollard pull of 50 tonnes, a displacement of 338 tonnes and a speed of 12 knots.

Ports of Auckland says the Waipapa is the most technologically advanced tug of its type in the Southern Hemisphere.

The rubber-mounted vessel, sporting a hydraulic towing winch, was built by Northport Engineering in Whangarei and adapted from a Canadian design for the specific needs of the Waitemata Harbour.

Ports of Auckland has commissioned two more of the tugs - one to pair the Waipapa and the other to undertake work for North Tugz at Marsden Pt.

The Port of Tauranga has also placed an order for a similar vessel.

No one is releasing cost details but Ports of Auckland says the contract is worth between $15 million to $20 million for Northport.

The 20-year-old boatbuilding firm is reported to be talking to several clients in New Zealand and overseas for duplicates of the Waipapa.

Industry commentators say contracts stemming from the tug's debut could inject life back into Northland's ailing economy.

Forty extra boatbuilding staff have been taken on in Whangarei to build the tugs, as well as 14 at the Northland marine services operation at Marsden Pt.