Cabin under construction
Planking the hulls
The hulls are enormously strong
"
Crusader flies the flag for COASTAL PARK
The absence of steps to access the shore is a key feature of all Abel Tasman Sea Shuttle's vessels operating along the picturesque coast at the top of the South Island.
Shuttle, Keith Knapp. The family business, based in Motueka, has transformed how visitors experience the park. "By providing a run directly to Kaiteriteri at a competitive price and at a faster speed than by bus we are giving people a much more enjoyable experience." Their newest vessel, the Crusader, sets a benchmark for innovation and visitor experiences. At 23.9m the catamaran is Sea Shuttle's flagship and the largest vessel to cruise the park. Tim Barnett of Barnett Offshore Design designed her specifically for crossing Tasman Bay and servicing the park. She was built in just six months at the company's own yard in Motueka, where her sleek lines drew a lot of comments. The team, led by Knapp and Paul Smith, made quick
M
progress to build the catamaran in such a short time but paying full attention to detail, safety and passenger comfort. Her construction was a seven-days-a-week
52 NZ WORKBOAT REVIEW 2012
any people who want to experience Abel Tasman National Park don't want to travel by bus or car for two hours," says the owner of Abel Tasman Sea
affair, with the team taking only one weekend off, and she quietly slipped into the water at Motueka for her final survey and sea trials. "We are so pleased how smoothly the project went,"
said Keith. "The team of engineers we have is second-to- none. Their dedication and skill has been in no small part responsible for the way this project has gone." The Crusader incorporates a 10m walk-on/walk-off
hydraulic bow ramp to ensure easy access and discharge for all passengers, particularly the aged and those slower on foot, and keeps their feet dry. She has all the features that have been incorporated
into much of their existing fleet by Barnett, who has also drawn up the plans for the other boats since the company began 10 years ago. Abel Tasman Sea Shuttle's continued innovation has been a mark of its success. The vessels are known for their stability and comfort. Some of their innovative features include alloy-planked hulls that have been folded to incorporate the stringers, and belt-driven, for'ard-facing propellers mounted on adjustable pods with the traditional rudders directly aft. These, along with the displacement hull design, have been proven to give low vibration and a stable and environmentally friendly ride at maximum efficiency. The return to a round-bilge semi-displacement design eliminates much of the rolling, chine-walking and wake issues associated with other vessels crossing Tasman Bay and operating in the park.
