MANAPOURI'S
best viewing platform so far
When Real Journeys decided
that their two older vessels serving Lake
Manapouri were inefficient, small, and well,
just not up to the presentation standards
tourists expect in a demanding market, they
decided to go for one, larger vessel.
T
hey asked Incat Crowther to draw up a set of
plans that included the efficiencies and features
they wanted: a dual-purpose vessel that carries
and manages freight for local customers and at
the same time provides upgraded facilities for a comfortable
cruising and viewing experience for tourists being ferried
around spectacular Lake Manapouri.
They also wanted a vessel with minimal impact on
the environment and one that would require minimum
maintenance because of the vessel's remote location. It all
added up to a vessel that works in with, and helps maintain,
the pristine environment that are the bread and butter of
their business.
Titiroa weighs around 55 tonnes, is almost 24m in
length and 7.5m wide, and with round bilge chines makes
excellent passage through the waters of Lake Manapouri.
Her main engines and other equipment were selected on
the basis of their track record and availability of parts, and
operate well below their 100 percent maximum continuous
rating. Her systems have been simplified and the structure
has been over-designed to reduce fatigue. Her pair of MTU
12V 2000 M70 main engines, each producing 785kW, are
36
NZ WORKBOAT REVIEW 2013
The pilot station is fully equipped
coupled to a traditional drive chain by Henleys Propellers.
The engine room air intakes are protected by Seaworth
Defence water/air separators supplied by Camfil Farr.
The twin 100mm 2205 stainless steel shafts are housed
in Easiflow stern tube systems complete with Thordon
bearings and 100mm Kiwi Shaft Seals. At the business end
are twin-handed 39in x 5B Tiger propellers. Henleys also
manufactured and supplied the twin rudders, stocks, seals
and Nibral tiller arms.
Titiroa easily achieves her service speed of 25 knots fully
loaded at 66 percent Maximum Continuous Rating during
her trials and exceeded 30 knots in light load condition.
From a navigational viewpoint the electronic suite is
extensive for a lake vessel. Real Journeys had particular
requirements regarding her safe passage across Lake
Manapouri and back. The lake has not been charted, so no
navigational charts were available on C-Map or Navionics,
limiting the options available to the company.
