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
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C O A S TA L C HARA CTERS LAUNCHING DREAMS PART TWO BY BADEN PASCOE 42. launching in 19 Q410 just after Ltd s built by P.Vos Fairmile One of the two A s the war progressed in Europe, the likelihood of an invasion of Northern Australia and New Zealand became increasingly likely. The United States Armed Forces took the initiative to prepare both Australia and New Zealand for a worst-case scenario, as it was a reasonably safe base for the defence of the South East Asia region. Maritime resources had to be strengthened in both countries and in Auckland this involved three boatbuilders: Associated Boat builders produced a small fleet of 112ft Fairmiles for patrolling the New Zealand coast. P Vos Ltd built two: Q410 and Q411. United Ship and Boat Builders produced ten 114ft powered lighters, sixty-four 45ft tugs for the New Zealand government, and five 60ft island trading vessels for the Fijian Government. Twenty-six 75ft steel boats were built by Steel Ships Ltd: the Arataki, Manawanui and James O���Brien are examples that most of us can remember. Percy Vos was asked to sit on the board of Associated Boat Builders along with other industry leaders like Roy Lidgard and Alex Collings. By mid-1943 the Auckland waterfront was a hive of activity with most yards doing twelve-hour days and some running around the clock. The two 112ft Fairmiles built at P Vos Ltd were considered to be the best of the fleet, and after the war the New Zealand Navy retained one and named her Kahu. She now sits as an unfinished project rotting away on a mooring at Greenhithe. During this time P Vos Ltd employed a staff of 41. Many of these e men came from other trades within the building industry, and were e carpenters and joiners were therefore exempt from war service e under the essential services act. This period positioned P Vos Ltd well for post-war business, and d Percy chose the tradesmen he thought had a future as boat builders s and could add value to his business. Another run-on from this s period was the massive amount of ship���s carpentry work required on visiting ships that had been damaged during the war. Percy���s brother ���Skeeta��� (Carlton) Vos, ran this side of the business and on some jobs they ran two shifts of men to ensure the job was finished before the next sailing. The boat that cemented P Vos Ltd���s reputation in the local fishing boat market, was the 55ft x16ft 6in x 7ft Danish seiner 28 Professional Skipper March/April 2013 Sandra, launched in 1948 for Sanford Ltd. Soon after this San she was converted to a trawler. This boat set a benchmark and became a business model for cost-effective inshore an coastal trawling, making the over-crewed old steamers co look totally inefficient. In the same year Waitamata lo Fisheries had their second boat built by P Vos Ltd. Her Fi name was Waikawa, a different looking boat to Sandra, n with a raked stem and slightly smaller displacement. w By this time people had more disposable income and pleasure boat orders were flowing in. Examples of these p were the 40ft twin engine Kiakoura for AH Crawford; w even today this boat looks timeless and is a beautiful e looking high speed launch. In 1951 LD (Lawrence) Nathan placed an order for his dream boat, a 62ft A class keeler designed by Arthur Robb, a New Zealander based in the UK. This boat would have to be one of the most ���textbook��� built boats e ever launched form a New Zealand yard. Her quality in material, design, workmanship and finish were stunning. She was launched Kahurangi, meaning precious possession in Maori, and there could be no name as fitting as this for such a beautiful object. She is still sailing in European waters and she still turns heads: ���who designed and built that?���, are the words that often flow from the mouths of those who see her. Yep, still showcasing New Zealand boat building after 60 years. In 1955 Sanfords placed another order and San Rosa was launched: a 60ft x 16ft 6in x 8ft 6in trawler. Once again, a stunning looking and performing vessel. Her hull had the finish of a highclass pleasure boat with a wheelhouse of varnished kauri. She was a picture as she slid down Percy���s big slip and hit the water. In between these big orders, K-class keelers like Katrina and Sapphire were launched for prominent Auckland yachtsmen, and other builders were starting to ask themselves why P Vos Ltd was such a popular choice, considering that they were far from the cheapest place to have a boat built in Auckland. Looking back, Percy Vos ran his business like no other boat builder in New Zealand. For a start, he worked on his business, not in it. The last time he worked on the shop floor was about 1935. By doing this he focused on filling his order books with orders from the people he was choosing to do business with. Each launching was a massive, well structured, meaningful event, and the right people were there: Sir Keith Park who by now was in San Rosa just aft er the varnished wh launching 1955. Note eel house.