Official launch day
A close up of the
bow ramp and anchor gear
On duty around the wharves
clean city. As a young serving sailor, when in port before shore
leave, we were warned not only about the girls of the night, but
also of Singapore's new anti-litter laws.
Compliance was as easy as empowering a heap of anti-litter
officials who worked on commission. A discarded cigarette butt
cost $10 local money, wrappers, bottles and small litter was $50
instant fine and urinating in a drain got you a night in the box.
Argument or inability to pay also saw perpetrators spend the
night in horrible cells along with other drunkards and reprobates.
But Lee Kuan Yew cleaned the city up within 10 years.
Maybe there is a lesson here for Auckland's Council. Either
way, something must be done, we cannot continue to rely on the
ambulance at the bottom of the drain.
Named after the late Phil Warren, Phil Warren II is the second
vessel to be named after this popular former mayor. Built by
Commando Boats in East Tamaki and designed by Angelo
Lavranos Marine Design, as far as barges go it may not be pretty
but when we look at the features she sure is practical for the job
– designed to gather litter from the wharves to the mangroves,
including keeping the shores of our nearby islands
clean.
Constructed in 5083 marine alloy, the hull is in
four watertight compartments with two additional
compartments incorporating the outboard pods.
The hull is 8mm alloy plate, sides are 5mm and the
deckhouse is 4mm. The checker plate deck plate is
6mm. Under the hull are additional wear plates and
stringers in the bow for beach landings – the bow
also incorporates a ramp for beach landings.
The foredeck is large enough to carry a heap of rubbish or even
a quad bike when doing beach cleanups. The ramp is raised and
lowered by a simple boat winch, while on the port coaming is
mounted a "Quick Winch" coupled to a "Bruce" style anchor.
Licensed to carry up to 28 volunteer passengers when working
the islands, the rubbish is transported separately the next day.
The large central deckhouse is raised to give the crew height for
better visibility for rubbish spotting and there is a hatch above
the helm station to allow greater height when required.
Under the raised deckhouse is stowage for two sea kayaks
and stowage top side for two paddle boards, these are
important for working the estuaries and mangrove creeks
which are a haven for accumulated rubbish.
The Phil Warren II is powered by twin 150hp four stroke
Mercury outboards, coupled to Hy-drive hydraulic steering,
which offers smooth low ergonomic steering as these motors
weigh in at 206kg a piece. They include the new 60amp 756watt
power pack charging system and are constructed using the new
XK360 extremely corrosion resistant low copper aluminium
silicon alloy, which has a three year corrosion warranty even
when operating in the harshest of marine environments. Like this
barge, the engine is designed to work and not sit around looking
pretty, so motor flushing, even with best intentions, may not
306 Neilson Street,
Onehunga, Auckland
Ph: 09 633 0301, Fax: 09 633 0306, Web: www.micometals.co.nz
20
Professional Skipper
July/August 2013
MICO Metals is New Zealand's leading importer
and distributor of aluminum, brass, copper,
stainless steel, zinc, fasteners and other specialty
products for New Zealand manufacturers in
major market sectors including building and
construction, white goods, marine, transport,
electrical and the wine and dairy industries.
Utilizing an established international network we
also source and operate a full indent and stock
and supply service and are very proud suppliers
to COMMANDO BOATS & METAL DESIGNS
Auckland.
VIP.S94
www.skipper.co.nz
