amongst
Kayaks in
es
grov
the man
Working the upper harbour
be a daily event – this is a major consideration for any operators
using outboards on their workboats.
Inside the transom each side are two separate 180 litre fuel
tanks, and we note the provision of a kedge anchor and warp.
The outboard pods form an excellent landing platform with a
stern loading and kayak launching area between the motors. The
stern gate is designed to fold down and form a ladder or ramp
for the kayaks.
Once in the deckhouse the design is pretty utilitarian with
bench seats and no galley or heads. If a toilet is required for
beach working groups they take a porta-loo. Under the seats is
stowage for lifejackets and there are little spikes on the window
sills to be used as day bag hooks to keep things tidy.
The deck-head and cabin remains unlined, so yes, there is a bit
of noise but the motors in operation are extremely quiet so one can
cope. The helm station is well laid out for the controls with a small
Garmin depth sounder to assist when moving in the shallows.
The ships batteries are under the front helm console with the
isolators to starboard. In a small compartment under the helm
seat one finds all the ship's manuals for ready access. On the
starboard side the back of the bench seat can lift up to form a
handy chart table when doing briefings with shore crew.
The deck house affords excellent all-round visibility with the
6mm glare resistant toughened glass windows and doors from
Alu-Tech.
At the stern we note a nicely coiled and stowed tow rope with
the bitter end disappearing under the hull – to be shackled onto a
tow point on the transom under the boarding deck and between
the motor pods for when a heavy tow is required.
Once commissioned and all survey requirements were met,
Phil Warren II powered along at a respectable 20 knot service
speed with a top speed of 25 knots, although there was power to
spare and a quick squirt soon had us nudging 30 knots. This extra
power is comforting to know, especially when towing or loaded
with several tonnes of rubbish.
In summary, the new barge makes for an excellent
compromise of many ideas and the many duties the vessel
will be expected to perform. It is solidly constructed with a
no-nonsense utilitarian look about her, one that we are sure
will prove to be both functional and an asset to Auckland's
Watercare Harbour Clean-Up Trust for at least the next decade.
Until Auckland Council gains control of the amount of rubbish
entering our waterways, there will always be a busy role
for Hayden and his crew aboard the Phil Warren II.
S P E C I F I C AT I O N S
LOA
Beam
Draft
Designer
Builder
Construction
Power
Service speed
11m
3m
210mm
Angelo Lavranos Marine Design
Commando Boats Limited
5083 marine alloy plate
Twin 150hp four stroke Mercury outboards
20 knots top 25knots
Proud
suppliers to
Commando
Boats
MARINE DIRECT LTD
22
Professional Skipper
July/August 2013
Ph 9 2739180, Fax 9 2739185, Email danny@marinedirect.co.nz
www.marinedirect.co.nz
VIP.S94
VIP.S69
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