New and larger hydraulics were fitted with larger tanks and cooler, and two new stability tanks were added amidships to maintain trim. New bulwarks were installed along the port side, while
the working side was kept clear, with only the removable safety rails being fitted for use when required. The three existing mussel rope-harvesting cranes were
retained on the starboard side with a fourth crane being installed aft by the exhaust arch. The existing harvesting, stripping, washing and bagging gear was repositioned and refitted. Down aft, the sponsons were extended past the existing transom by 2m and a new cage built, so the area can be used to stow mussel buoys and other bulky light gear out of the way from the vessel's main production and work area. New SeaMac watertight doors were fitted and because of her added survey length, all the doorsills and hatches had to be raised to meet her survey standard. Inside the hull, the wiring looms fore and aft and all the hydraulic lines were upgraded or replaced. The Morning Star now looks like, and is, a totally
different vessel. Jim Goulding deserves a lot of credit for the courage to have a go at redesigning and rebuilding his workboat to such a radical degree when such changes are often fraught with danger. On this occasion, because of the amount of research and planning done by the designer and engineers from AIMEX, the refit has surpassed all expectations, with the Morning Star reaching a similar cruising speed even when under load.
■ Before
Length overall Beam
After
Length overall Beam
Survey class
23.9m 6.2m 40C
16.2m 4.7m
MARINE AND INDUSTRIAL ENGINEERS EXCELLENCE MUST BE ENGINEERED
Contact Steve Sullivan Steve@aimex.co.nz or Ross Harvey Ross@aimex.co.nz
P +64 (0)3 548 1439 F +64 (0)3 546 8731 E info@aimex.co.nz W www.aimex.co.nz A 42 Vickerman Street PO Box 5115 Port Nelson 7043New Zealand
NZ WORKBOAT REVIEW 2012 21
spec's
VIP.WB12
