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
Issue link: https://viewer.e-digitaleditions.com/i/131029
SKIPPERS STILL KEEN BY BADEN PASCOE T he 2013 Auckland Anniversary Regatta certainly got off to a good start with the always popular Tug and Towboat event beginning one hour earlier than last year. Soon after 8am the fleet assembled off Princes Wharf and within half an hour grew to 21 vessels of all shapes, sizes and colours. It was good to see some new boats and skippers arrive on the scene and a real indication that people are taking up the custodianship of these beasts of burden that have so much history. I have no doubt that prospective boat owners are now considering other factors above gleam and glitter when purchasing their first boat or changing the direction of their boating interests. All good stuff, these lovely looking work boats are preserved and their stories keep on being told. Welcome to the fleet Orion, Revenge, Roa, Stratthallen and Tuna, nice to see these boats and their crews become part of this great fleet and enhancing the day. However, there were quite a few old favorites that could not make the start; Curlew had stern gear issues, Olga had electrical problems that could not be fixed in time and the crew of Heron Construction's Pacific Way were just simply over boating after a heavy work load. There were others that had intended to turn up but could not make the race. All a good indication that the possible number of vessels available for future events now exceeds thirty and growing, look out Tug Fest Seattle, we can do it better down under! Shortly after 8.30am Keith Ingram broadcast over race channel VHF 77 that it was time to get this show underway. In perfect weather conditions the spectacular fleet made its way down to North Head and it was simply a dream scene for onlookers and photographers. But no red and black boats of the Thomson Towing fleet to be seen, and no response from VHF communications. We all steamed towards North Head and you could feel a sense of pride in the air as the familiar landscapes became backdrops to the many colours, shapes and sizes of the tugs, not to mention the variation of exhaust notes. Bondi Belle's little six cylinder Mercedes sounded so nice and it was good to see Ted and his crew supporting the event as always. Eventually, when we had almost given up hope, we saw three black and red tugs rounding the end of the Western Reclamation and making their way down the harbour behind mother duck Christine Mary. No show without the Thomsons! Thanks again. Looking up at North Head we could see quite a few spectators taking up spots as the boats self seeded along the start line with the magnificent Akarana on the outer end. A few noses over the line and Keith kindly reminded the skippers that the boats needed to go astern a few metres. The countdown begins, a flare goes up from Akarana and they are off! Te Hauraki goes into the lead straight away and shows her transom to the fleet. Sterling is not far behind as her skipper Brett Evans feeds his D-series Ford every bit of throttle. On the other side the terrible twins Waka Kume and Waipapa push a wall of water down towards the first mark. The old powerhouse William C Daldy seems to be slow off the mark and not so eager this year. I was later told she had a dirty bottom and a bunker full of bad coal. Te Hauraki is first around Narrow Neck buoy and her new prop has proved its worth, but then she heads in the wrong direction on an almost reciprocal path. We call her to tell her she needs to turn to port and go around Salt Works buoy. By the time her skipper Craig Pippen realizes he has gone the in wrong direction, the terrible twins have taken the lead. They round Salt Works with the little Te Hauraki just managing to hold on, but without enough power to overtake. Next is Christine Mary, however the little Sterling is holding fifth place. Once on a straight run, Brett Evans inches past Lance Brown and looking at this scene, one cough and Brett would be back in fifth place again. Manukau holds on to sixth place flanked by Bondi Belle and Strathallan. By this time Keith gives the order to our helmsman, Wayne, to head back down to the finish line off Devonport Wharf, I cannot tell you what happened as the fleet ran home down the shipping channel. But I bet there are a few stories, there were some ding dong battles coming up to the finish line, all really good stuff. Eventually Ronaki and the Lilley clan crossed the line as all of the fleet blew their horns. Half an hour later, the Ports of Auckland boys put on a show better than ever, observed by hundreds of people at the end of Princes Wharf. I could see Mike Thomson who skippered Tuna for Jill Hetherington playing with the big boats as he darted between them, giving Jill and his crew the time of their life. After the Ports of Auckland tugs had done their thing, the remainder of the fleet did a lap in the Viaduct and some had time to berth at Karanga Tidal steps for a few hours, setting a nice scene and a point of intense interest for the thousands of visitors. Next year we hope to have more boats in this area and get more involvement with the public. A huge thanks to all who took part, including all the volunteers and Waterfront Auckland for the use of the water space and berthage area. RESULTS Line honor, Professional Skipper Trophy: Wakakume Handicap, Thomson Trophy: Tamaki Patterson Trophy for the best presented retired vessel: Orion Parry Trophy for the best presented vessel in survey: Manukau May/June 2013 Professional Skipper 61