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Ample workd ec k spac e This contract and successful build is a timely reminder that this yard, with all of its excellent facilities, is still an active participant in the New Zealand ship and workboat construction and refit industry. Built to Maritime New Zealand SSM rules, the project was in-house designed The new HM5, also called JLR in by McMullen & Wing and completed in remembrance of previous harbourmaster a short time-frame to meet the pressing the late John Lee-Richards Council requirements to have this vessel in service. Constructed in 5083 marine alloy plate, the hull form is 8mm • Virtual aids to navigation was installed, covering identified forward and over the bow form and grounding area with the aft potential hazards on the approaches to Auckland. and sides in 6mm. Framing and bulkheads are all constructed • The purchase of a dedicated multi-purpose response vessel for from 5mm plate. maritime incidents. It was interesting to note the developed bow form was away from The role of the vessel would be a first response vessel to what is normally seen on a flat barge to incorporate some shape and deal with any pending navigational hazards or marine and oil molding to assist its sea keeping abilities when underway. pollution risks until backup support could be mobilized. The wheelhouse and structure are in 4mm plate and the Added to the growing tasks of the harbourmaster was navaid vessel's bulwarks are from 6mm plate. 6mm tread plate forms maintenance within the Auckland Council's marine management the main deck. area out to the 12nm limit, and not covered by the Port Company, With a LOA of 12.5m, the hull length is 11.2m with a beam of along with mooring management. 3.6m and a draft of 350mm, light ship 6.5 tonnes. When laden The vessel's requirements included being a fast response platform the vessel draws 500mm with a displacement of 13 tonnes. The capable of carrying oil boom defense and recovery equipment. It hull is divided into three watertight voids with the fuel tank needed to have a beach landing capability and the ability to tow located in the aft void which is vented. other craft or drifting navigational hazards. Besides being fitted Powered by twin Suzuki V6 DF200hp long shaft four stroke with a deck crane, the vessel had to have a cargo capability of six counter-rotating outboard motors, the DF200 V6 engines are tonnes and still maintain an effective speed over water. the most compact in their size, with an offset driveshaft for Outboard propulsion was chosen for a number of reasons. better balance. Incorporating the Suzuki multi-point sequential Obviously, price was a serious consideration, but redundancy and electronic fuel injection, these motors are claimed to be some of repairs were of equal importance because if the engine were to the most clean burning and fuel efficient models available. sh** itself it would be a simple task to lift it off for workshop repair With a fuel capacity of 600lts, the under floor fuel tank is and fit a replacement – rather than have the vessel out of service petrol and was supplied by specialist fuel tank makers, Road for a lengthy time. Sound thinking. Because as sure as God made Runner Manufacturing, who also supplied the large deck box little apples, as soon as the barge was out of service for a major situated in front of the wheelhouse – which houses the Kohler mechanical failure, the next disaster would come knocking. Command Pro14 engine coupled to the Brevini hydraulic power This was some wish list, and to top it all off it would need to pack to drive the small Palfinger deck crane. be a stable work platform at rest while maintaining good seaAft of the wheelhouse there is ample room to get access for keeping abilities in the typical sou'wester Hauraki Gulf chop. berthing, towing or to the small heads when urgent needs arise. The contract went out to tender, with the successful bid being In keeping with the marine pollution regulations the heads dump awarded to McMullen & Wing boat builders situated on the into a 25lt blackwater tank that maybe pumped ashore or in upper reaches of the Tamaki River at Mount Wellington. open water if required. There is clear access up each side of the The yard of McMullen & Wing has been around for some 35 deckhouse, but access inside is via a starboard side door only. years, during which time they have built a wide range of craft Once inside the wheelhouse, the interior is utilitarian and from cruising and racing yachts to mussel barges and a number sparse. Essentially a day boat, there is no galley. The raised crew of larger workboats, including Auckland's pilot boat Waitemata. seating fills the aft recess and is above the battery stowage area The company operates a travel lift with a limited hardstand area, accessed from the rear of the structure beside the heads door. The and a 300 tonne slipway along with some very large boat sheds. main battery control switches and links are accessed from under It would be fair to say that for the past decade or so the yard the seat squab and there is a small stowage area for charts and has become synonymous with the luxury superyacht industry, manuals to keep them out of harm's way. and as such has slipped under the radar for the main part of the Besides the helm and throttle controls and engine domestic commercial marine industry. 20 Professional Skipper September/October 2013 www.skipper.co.nz