The island boat shed
Power Solutions
Lees Group is proud to supply
the outstanding Malolo Cat IV,
new ferry for Musket Cove and
Plantation Island, with the award
winning FPT IVECO Cursor
C90 620 engines
Suka Thaggard and Scott Banks
Malolo Cat IV emerges from the shed
C90 620
FIAT POWERTRAIN TECHNOLOGIES
www.skipper.co.nz
'Riding the Wave of Innovation'
VIP.S94
airstrip, which has been put to use for organic farming and the
continuation of the coconut plantation to supply the resort.
Today, Musket Cove is an entirely Fijian owned and operated
company that employs over 120 staff to run the resort and the
island's facilities.
Over the years a number of ferries have been built to service
the resorts and the Malolo Cat IV is the latest addition. It
was built in Fiji as an alternative to importing a vessel. This
allowed the owners to tailor the boat to their needs and to have
a more hands-on role during its construction. It also meant the
employment of as many as 40 local staff on the project. Leeward
Islands chief engineer Suka Thaggard was the principle project
manager and who employed a young Kiwi boat builder Scott
Banks to oversee and guide the build using six local workers.
Before his untimely death, Dick Smith was also heavily
involved in the design and build phase of Malolo Cat IV and was
often the catalyst in the expansion of the business. Even after his
passing, his ability to think outside the square is clearly seen in
many of the design features of the vessel. His design sense and
his ability to challenge the status quo was a source of inspiration
for many of his staff, especially the boat builders.
Mechanical injection models
available from 20 to 280 HP
Electronic Common Rail models
available from 230 to 825 HP
The Cursor C90 Engine is the
current holder of the prestigious
Monte Carlo to Venice and New
York to Bermuda international
boat speed/fuel efficency records
www.leesgroup.com
PHONE 09 299 6019
182 Great South Road, Takanini, Auckland
email info@leesgroup.com
Dealer Enquiries Welcome
July/August 2013 Professional Skipper 61
