Waterjet company celebrates milestones
D
espite the lingering global recession, HamiltonJet sales remain buoyant, particularly in Asia, where many countries are expanding
their patrol boat fleets and choosing waterjets as their preferred propulsion. Several patrol vessels in Taiwan are now using the new HT810 waterjet model, and the company has further orders for this jet next year as more of these boats are built. More of New Zealand's largest waterjet will also be manufactured in 2012, as the Korean Coast Guard has ordered more HT1000 waterjets for its new 300T class vessels.
The first HT900 waterjets were installed in two
58m crew/supply boats this year to service oilfields in the Gulf of Mexico and off the coast of western Africa. The Aaron McCall and the RJ Coco McCall each use quadruple waterjets to achieve a top speed of around 35 knots and carry over 350 tonnes of cargo. Waterjet propulsion in fire-fighting continues to be popular across the United States, with recent deliveries to Boston, Florida and New York, because of their shallow draft and powerful manoeuverability when operating against the thrust forces of several fire monitors.
Closer to home, HamiltonJet's new projects include
the Clipper IV for the Pine Harbour fleet in Auckland, and two tourist adventure boats fitted with twin HJ213 waterjets operating around the Waitemata Harbour. Another ferry to enter service takes passengers at slow speed across the Waikato River at the Hidden Valley Thermal Resort. On the other side of HamiltonJet's business, the boatbuilding division is celebrating its 50th year building jetboats in Christchurch. The company started in 1960 to take advantage of the growing popularity of waterjet propulsion and has since built almost 3000 jetboats. Many are still skimming the shallows and rapids of our rivers and cruising our lakes. To celebrate this milestone, the company is holding an open day expo in Christchurch during spring 2012, with 50 boats from across the eras on display, as well as HT waterjets in the factory.The expo, postponed following the city's earthquakes, will be the best opportunity to see a slice of New Zealand's jetboat history and the workings of a world-leading modern manufacturer.
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