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Dear Sir Reading the letter by Bruce Maroc in response to the article about the Jaguar, Professional Skipper January/February page 6, brings a sore point that hasn't been aired within the New Zealand Maritime Industry. These people who decide to create a new trade on our coast, or wish to purchase an addition to their existing fleet, does it ever make you wonder if they have any idea what they are getting themselves into? Take the case of the roll-on roll-off vessel Atlantic Trader I. This vessel was purchased from Europe by a group of businessmen with the intention of operating a freight service between Wellington and Picton. The ship duly arrived in Auckland in 2001 on a delivery voyage from Haiti, and when Maritime NZ inspected her, the raft of deficiencies was so numerous she was condemned virtually from the onset, being finally scrapped some years later. What is going on here? Did the buyers do a thorough inspection of the ship prior to purchase, or was the sale made sight unseen? The buyer of Jaguar, obviously inspected the vessel prior to purchase, as he wanted to enhance his Chatham Islands trade, though, despite the denials Maroc stated defending Lloyd's surveyors, there must have been some cutting of corners if one surveyor passes the ship then another one doesn't. The Jaguar story would be one of great disappointment, though I wonder how many more voyages the vessel would have made if she had stayed in Europe. Then one wonders whether Jaguar would have paid its way on the Chathams run, seeing Rangatira and Baldur are making profitable voyages, but a third carrier may have been a different story. Remember Holmdale? She was the sole vessel catering for the Chatham Islanders and she was more than enough for their needs. There have been earlier woeful stories of failed enterprises and "lemon purchases." Remember the failed fishing venture involving Szap 3 and Szap 5? I am pretty certain neither trawler made one voyage. So, there are still lessons to be learnt from purchasing second hand vessels from overseas. Chris Rabey, Wellington Folks, while not wishing to curb the enthusiasm to write to us, I believe we have just about beaten the Jaguar into the grave. A sad and torrid saga, but she has gone. However before I close, a point that has not been made clear in her intended use, we are advised that the Jaguar was intended for the New Zealand coastal trade and as back up support and peak overload trade on the Chathams route. This makes a lot of sense when you consider most coastal trade runs north – south via international ships and apart from the Anatoki there are limited bulk carriers available on the coast. For example, during the drought farmers are begging for the surplus hay and silage bales down south and are struggling to get it north at an affordable price. Ed… SHIPPING SUPPORT Dear Sir The mayor of Marlborough has asked Gerry Brownlee to consider Marlborough, whilst making the decision whether to relocate the rail terminal from Picton to Clifford Bay. Why? Because shipping supports an arsenal of local VIP.S92 MORE JAGUAR • Commercial and Private Alloy boats, barges and custom trailers to all specification and certification standards • Builders of custom Mussel and Oyster barges and equipment for the Aquaculture industry • Our in house design, engineering and problem solving is fast becoming the industry leader • NSR takes your ideas and makes them work • Builders for Department of Conservation, Northland Regional Council, Biomarine Ltd and the Royal New Zealand Defence Force • Projects completed on time and on budget Call us for a consultation and quotation for your next project, refit or custom alterations for your vessel LOCATED IN THE BAY OF ISLANDS, THE NEW BOATBUILDING CAPITAL OF NEW ZEALAND F OR M OR E I N F OR M ATI ON C ON TAC T NORTHLAND SPARS AND RIGGING Powderstore Bay 2, Baffin Street, Opua, 0200 Phone +64 (0)9 402-6280 or go to www.alloyboatbuilders.co.nz May/June 2013 Professional Skipper 5