The observation deck was a must for tourists
Inside the saloon is a basic bus
board, eliminating another facility to either go wrong or to be serviced and cleaned. Up for'ard, the bridge is fully enclosed with an aft sliding door that may be locked for security. The conning position provides good vision and easy access for berthing when the skipper is operating single-handed.
The specification for the electronics package was the same
as for the Excitor III, also operated in the Bay of Islands by Fullers, as there was the chance that skippers would swap from boat to boat. Supplied by Advance Trident Limited, this package
included a Simrad NX45, 12in multifunction display, plotter, sounder and radar with a Simrad Hi Speed GPS antenna and BR24 broadband radar scanner.
The sounder is hooked up to a 600 watt 50/200kHz
transducer. To ensure everyone else who needs to know can locate her at a moment's notice she is fitted with a Simrad NAIS 300, Black Box AIS transceiver. The broadband radar has proved to be perfect for close detection of targets between Russell and Paihia. Finally, for radio communications, she has a Cobra MRF
80B VHF marine radio. This sounds like a lot of hi-tech kit for what is essentially a cross-harbour, short-journey tram, we thought. That was until we remembered her route crosses the main shipping channel to Opua and its large marina. Don't forget, the Bay Belle II is expected to operate in all
conditions, including rain, hail and fog, and during all but the most violent storms, because she forms a key part of the Bay of Islands' commuter life and infrastructure. She is powered by a Scania D1 1265M marine diesel
Power to propel both vessels and machinery.
South Pacifi c Diesel Systems Ltd. P.O. Box 51-147, Tawa Wellington, New Zealand Tel +64 4 237 4439 Fax +64 4 237 5367
VIPSP.S8
PS82
10 Professional Skipper July/August 2011 r
