New Customs patrol boat 'better, faster' than predecessors

Don't build a boat facing the water and never launch on a Friday.

Myles Fothergill says he's not superstitious but he's not about to mess with age-old boat-building traditions.

To that end, the Q-West chief executive was happy to see his most important client's new vessel sealed with a lucky charm.

The Whanganui boat-builder was the venue of a coin ceremony yesterday, where a special coin was fixed to the early stages of a new 18-metre patrol boat being built for New Zealand Customs.

The twin-hull aluminium craft will replace Customs' ageing Hawk IV and will boast the performance and technology that Customs' deputy controller of operations Bill Perry said will keep the border agency in the game for the long haul.

The vessel will be named Hawk V - the latest in a lineage of Customs Hawks that dates back to the agency's first boat in 1881.

"Each vessel has had the same mission - to protect New Zealand's waters. Only the targets have changed," Mr Perry said.

Whale oil and rum had given way to drugs - methamphetamine and cocaine mainly - as the contraband of choice, he said.

The new Hawk V was "better, faster and wider" than what Customs had ever had.

He praised Q-West staff for their part in protecting New Zealand's borders and helping to protect its citizens.

The special coin affixed to NZ Customs' new patrol boat under construction in Whanganui.

Customs was impressed with other boats built by Q-West and chose the Whanganui company over its many rivals to build the agency's new main vessel.

Hawk V is due for completion by December and will be based primarily in Auckland but re-positioned around the country as required.

It boasts a comfortable cruising speed of 30 knots "plus some" and has a crew of four.

In a slight departure from tradition the coin - a special Customs Challenge Coin featuring the Customs crest - was sealed not to the keel, but in the engine room where it will remain on display after launch.

It is said to bring good fortune throughout the build and to its captain and crew.