The only specialised marine publication in Oceania that focuses on the maritime industry, from super yachts to small craft to large commercial ships, including coastal shipping, tugs, tow boats, barges, ferries, tourist, sport-fishing craft, je
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The piling barge Kaimahi helps to place the timber walkway bridge in the Orakei Basin Pouring concrete into the piles at the Orams Marine Village slipway repair was looking to farm out maintenance work in an effort to reduce staff and costs. This was a time when the unions had total control and too many shysters were living the life of riley, getting paid for the good life with productivity at an all-time low. Containerisation had arrived and the port reforms were a happening thing. Total Marine Services Limited evolved out of the 1985 Auckland to Suva yacht race. Brent was sailing with mates on the Lidgard 38 Nova when the rudder fell off mid-ocean. He built a jury-rigged rudder and hung it off the transom so they could finish the race. On their return, he and a mate started Total Marine Services part-time doing bottom scrubs for racing yachties and a range of diving and recovery work as it came along. This lead to the potential of a mooring contract and the purchase of the motorised mooring barge Wainui doing mooring work. An offer of piling work followed, so he acquired his first piling barge and crane. Just as they were about to start this first piling contract he realised he would need a hammer. More midnight oil and salvaged scrap metal soon produced a thumper that would give many years of service. Total Marine Services built their first wharf in Bon Accord Harbour on Kawau Island and it still stands today as a testament to the skills of this fledgling company. Not long after the formation of the Auckland Regional Council, the new harbourmaster took on responsibility for the harbour moorings and identified numerous illegal structures in Te Atatu Creek to be removed. After the harbourmaster had clearly marked all the structures, TMS was asked to remove them and Brent quickly set about the job. The structures ranged from shaky jetties made from ti tree to more substantial piles. One structure marked with a big red cross had a boat alongside. The piles, jetty and walkway, which were mainly fence posts, were removed and the boat was left tied to the mangroves. This one proved to be legitimate and the council later compensated the owners. Bugger! The business grew as both the port company and the council started to share the work between Bill Morris Hauraki Piling and TMS. This was to change later as Bill wanted to retire and so TMS acquired Hauraki Piling. They next won the contract to build the first stage of the Outboard Boating Club marina in 1993 and Whitianga in 1994. The Whangaroa Marina followed in 1997. In 1996 the company won the contract to replace the Z Pier working berths, where two large concrete piles required removing. At that time Sheryl, from Seatours, had a large school of resident fish, including a heap of pet parore that she fed daily around the finger. Unfortunately the piles would not budge to the usual shake, rattle and pull on the crane, so a little more persuasion was required. This came in the form of some plastic-looking stuff acquired from a demolition mate. The first charge just went "Poof " and the pile stood firm. "Listen here, mate!" said a rather anxious Shipman. "We haven't got all day. We have to hook those things out of there before anyone starts getting curious." "Okay, okay, you're the boss," came the reply as the diver entered the water again. "Burwump! Burwump!" The surrounding windows rattled as the two concrete soldiers fell over. Folks came running. "Did you hear that?" they TOTAL MARINE: • Wharves • Jetty and Marina Construction and Repair • Marine Towing • Pile Driving and Drilling • Salvage • Barge and Tug Hire TOTAL FLOATS: Design, Supply and Installation of all Floating Structures: Marinas – Commercial and Private Wharf Pontoons Phone 09 379 9752 • Fax 09 379 9751 www.totalmarineservices.co.nz NZ WORKBOAT REVIEW 2012 15 VIP.S71