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The Clipper IV is a shining example of a modern fast ferry One of the two enginerooms The tasteful decor creates a relaxing atmosphere The landing platform is also used to recover flotsam or a man overboard, although we have to say that like all fast ferries, it is highly unlikely a normally well- behaved passenger would fall from the vessel. The Clipper IV's hulls are constructed of marine grade Sealium, left to weather and attain its own protective patina. The hulls are divided into five voids with a separate lazarette where the waterjets are, then the engineroom with the tank space. The for'ard void is largely clear and finally there is the collision bulkhead at the rear of the foc's'le void. Interestingly, the main fuel tank in the tank void is separate, being a large, round 900 litre tank rather than being built into the hull. Access to the lazarette is off the aft deck, with a comprehensive toolbox and a small workshop in the port hull, while in the starboard hull a fire hose reel is mounted out of the weather and yet is still easily accessible. Entry to the ladies' and gents' heads is off the aft deck behind the saloon doors. Both heads discharge into a sewage holding tank. Stepping into the saloon, one quickly appreciates the change in size, with seating for 90. The outer seats are arranged around 10 tables, while the central 32 seats face for'ard. Under each seat is a locker with a lifejacket, should the need arise. The main saloon is fully airconditioned for passenger comfort with all the windows doubled-glazed, eliminating annoying fogging on chilly mornings. Overhead deckhead panels are made from ventilated aluminium to give a functional and attractive lift to the saloon. 58 NZ WORKBOAT REVIEW 2012 The décor throughout has been tastefully done, making a relaxing atmosphere for commuters. There is no café or bar service. We note the use of annulled grooved stainless steel tubes for the overhead and other handrails throughout the ferry. This looks good, gives a positive grip and does not show grubby fingermarks. To ensure the crew can keep the main cabin spic and span, the Clipper IV is equipped with an internal vacuum system with two connections, for'ard and aft. We enter the spacious wheelhouse and step out onto the starboard wing, where there is a small side gate and a Blue Arrow MouseBoat control for berthing. I have said before that every boat should have this system as it makes the master of the vessel look good. It's child's play. It's one of the most innovative leaps forward in waterjet power and our world-leading New Zealand company Hamilton Jet developed it. This is Kiwi ingenuity at its best. The foredeck is clear apart from the Danforth anchor stowed flat on deck and a small capstan and winch. Crew access to the top deck is to port. Once up top we find three airconditioning units, with the Kohler 20kVa genset in its own hush box just behind the wheelhouse screen with the static solid emergency floats stowed aft. Mounting the genset up top, close to the main aircon units, reduced cable runs and kept the unit out of the hulls, reducing the potential for noise to transfer into the cabin. Back in the wheelhouse, the main conning position is central with a KAB pilot seat facing an impressive range of Furuno electronics on the dash panel. Pine Harbour Ferries was very specific about the requirements of their navigational equipment, said Ryan Castles from Pine Harbour Electrical Limited, who was responsible for the supply and installation. "The main requirement was to have a dual-range radar critical for running in fog, a very fast and accurate satellite compass heading sensor, important data on a separate repeater displays and be able to use dual Nauticomp marine displays off the one system," he said. "The Furuno 3D Blackbox system ticked all the boxes." There is a Furuno Navpilot and a Furuno RD33 data display. Heading data and GPS position is delivered via a Furuno SC-30 satellite compass, and AIS is the Furuno class A system. A 1kW transducer and sounder module delivers depth data and is mounted in a tank inside the hull