TSB Sea Rescue is launched at Onehunga, Auckland
The boarding ladder swings down when required
good seakeeping ability in all but extreme conditions, along with a quick turn of speed. Above all, she needed to have twin engines and be housed on her own trailer. You might be starting to wonder if this group is part of the Coastguard Federation. Well no, not exactly - something to do with differing opinions lead to a bit of a parting of the ways. But tide and time have a way of healing, so hopefully any past differences will be resolved for the greater good of the sea-going community. The TSB Sea Rescue is the only trust-owned rescue boat in the country. She was three years in the making, partly because of the said parting and the loss of central funding. However, her contract went ahead following a $150,000 donation from the TSB Community Trust and some novel fundraising by asking members to donate young bobby calves for local farmers to rear to yearlings. The farmers absorbed the costs in their own stock replacements and the club was some $100,000 richer. We got to see this latest blue-water rescue craft as she
was being launched in Auckland at Onehunga for sea trials before making passage to Cape Egmont. At 10.8m long with a 3.5m beam and a draft when laden of 730mm we could see she was a big boat. Designed by Angelo Lavanos and built by Bladerunner Boats in Kumeu, West Auckland, the TSB Sea Rescue has a voluminous, load-bearing hull with a deep forefoot. The large chine aids lift and stability and turns the water while it is still green, ensuring she doesn't drown in spray. The hull is constructed in marine grade alloy with a 6mm bottom, 5mm sides and 4mm for the cabin, using shielded
VIP.WB12
New Zealand - Volpower NZ Limited Ph. 0800 865 769 www.volvopenta.co.nz
