amongst the directors. Wayne was also considering a change
as well and investing in another tug and barge meant a big
commitment in both money and future lifestyle. Unfortunately,
when working with boats and the tide, that means spending a lot
of time away from home and family. It was a hard decision, as
Wayne factored in his social responsibly to Dargaville were jobs
are hard to get.
With a lump in his throat he made the decision to sell off the
assets and close the business down. Looking back, the business
created many jobs in the community and provided a vital service
for Dargaville and other settlements on the harbour. I would hate
to think where all those thousands of yards of sand have ended
up over the years, but this is all part of owning and running a
business, and is reality.
So, Lady Kay is on the market. In my view she has all her
ducks lined up to become a cherished heritage workboat, good
designer and builder, associated with some of the Kaipara's most
respected watermen and a heap of history in her bones. One
could say she is an icon of Dargaville and I know for a fact that
Wayne and many others want her to go to a good home. Let's
follow this one and see what happens to the Lady Kay.
Thanks to Zach Matich, Johnny Franich and Wayne Eyles for
help with this story.
The Northern Wairoa once had about 22 tugs and towing
launches at the height of the Kauri timber trade. Some of the
larger ones were, Sterling and Ohinemuri. The smaller ones
were Sonoma (later Robey/Te Kopuru), Curlew, Vesper, Phyllis,
Evelyn, Arizona, Waiwera, Sylph and Mahi, to name a few.
If any readers have photographs or stories of these boats, I
would appreciate a call. Baden Pascoe: 027 4444598
Drawings of Lady Kay from Ces Watson's drawing board
An interesting touch to this story is that in 2008 Zach Matich
started with Kaipara Water Transport as a deckie, and Zach is the
grandson of George Franich and of course Johnny, now aged 84,
is his great uncle. Zach served on Lady Kay up until 2012, thus
carrying on the family tradition of learning to work the tides with
towboats and barges. Zach now fishes with this father Ron out of
Ruawai and has these sorts of boats in his blood.
Late last year was crunch time for Kaipara Water Transport,
the Lady Kay now in her 56th year and Awaroa in need of critical
repair or replacement, a decision had to be made and discussed
ALL
UR
YO
TEC-1G
TEC-1G
Au
MACHINERY NEEDS
RY
XM
SBD-20B
SBD 20B
SBD-20B
SBD-20B
2
BS-7L
BS-7
BS-7L
S-7
175
$
$
AUTO CUT
$
90
$
$
$
(W
1,820
(W1111)
HM
M
$
310
$
230V
$
(D138)
1,200
(B006)
SAVE
AL-340D
AL-340D
L-3
-3
Cen
Cen
e
590
$
SAVE
255
$
SAVE
195
$
$
4,400
$
(M126D)
INCLUDES
695
STAND
(S264)
$
5,995
RE
39mm BO
(L179D)
Specifications & Prices are subject to change without notification. All prices exclude GST and valid until 30-09-13
Unit D/38 Highbrook Dr, East Tamaki
Ph: (09) 2717 234
VIP.S95
www.machineryhouse.co.nz
1_SM_AUG13
$
www.skipper.co.nz
September/October 2013 Professional Skipper 37
