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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OCEANS PHOTO COURTESY ALAN CALVERT Hollywood director James Cameron, now resident in New Zealand, once chartered Alucia to discover the wreck of Titanic. DWARFING THE WHARFS: QUEEN MARY 2 ANTARCTIC SUPPLY SHIP VISITS LYTTELTON The ship Ocean Giant ex HHL Antwerp, built in 2012, is registered in Houston, Texas and was re-flagged under the stars and stripes in Jacksonville, Florida. Operated by Crowley Maritime for Intermarine, the 545ft vessel is equipped with three cranes with a combined lifting capacity of 725 tonnes. Following its re-flagging, Ocean Giant sailed to Norfolk in the Unites States and began a voyage under United States Military Sealift Command charter to Thule, Greenland. The 19,100dwt ship is then scheduled to join Intermarine's American flag commercial and project fleet in worldwide service. In keeping with the United States' "neither confirm nor deny" policy Ocean Giant, arrived at Lyttelton to load cargo for the American and New Zealand research bases in the Antarctic. After loading bunkers she shifted to a general cargo berth to load heavy machinery and containers to go south. PHOTO COURTESY ALAN CALVERT Ocean Giant Cunard Line's flagship, the 148528-tonne liner Queen Mary 2 recently made her fourth visit to Auckland during her first circumnavigation of the country. Being too large to berth at the usual passenger ship berths at Princes or Queens Wharf, Queen Mary 2 came alongside at Jellicoe Wharf in the heart of the commercial area of the port. In response to public criticism that it was virtually impossible to catch more than a glimpse of the massive ship from anywhere shore side, Ports of Auckland Ltd provided two special free port boat tours. Queen Mary 2 made her first call to the Banks Peninsula settlement of Akaroa on March 14. Akaroa is the port of call for cruise ships while earthquake repair work continues at the Port of Lyttelton Those lucky enough to secure themselves a place aboard the two booked out sailings were not disappointed. Cameras clicked away merrily and many of those aboard the Discovery 360 Cruises catamaran Tiri Kat, were silent as they gazed in awe as the largest ship to visit New Zealand towered above them. Once on the opposite side of the wharf, the true scale of Queen Mary 2 became apparent. Passengers were treated to a true "David and Goliath" scene as the tiny cargo ship Norfolk Guardian, at a mere 1600 tonnes, loaded cargo prior to sailing. With the overwhelming success of the two tours, it is hoped that these special port cruises will become a regular event when the mighty ship arrives in years to come. Alucia MULTI-ROLE RESEARCH VESSEL STOPS BY Alucia, a privately owned and operated multi-role research ship arrived at Auckland's Silo Park superyacht facility in March. Originally built in 1974, the 1142grt, 55.75m vessel is operated by DeepOcean Quest and caters to clients in the private sector. During normal operations she carries a complement of 14 crew, a submersible team of six and up to 18 guests, scientists, film-makers and paying passengers all in luxury superyachtstyle accommodation. With three deep-dive submersibles aboard, each capable of reaching depths of around 1000m, Alucia has in the past been chartered by the Discovery Channel to attempt filming of the rarely seen giant squid in the depths of the Pacific. Alucia grabbed world headlines when acting as mothership during the search for the wreckage of the lost Air France passenger jet in the Atlantic. 68 Professional Skipper May/June 2013 RNZYS RACES WON'T WAIT Another example of yachts not staying out of the way of the commercial shipping in January saw Holland America's Ooosterdam (2003/82305grt) and Cunard's Queen Elizabeth (2010/90901gt) sail from town within 15 minutes of each other. Oosterdam's departure coincided again with the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron's midweek race series start. RNZYS race control called up Harbour Ooosterdam