The foldaway bow ramp for beach work
provided by a Garmin 200 VHF. For crew interest there is also a Fusion music system installed to help while away the time while handing the dirty bits. At the rear of the deck house is a small head for the crew.
Down below in the machinery spaces, accessed via watertight flush deck hatches, are twin Caterpillar C12 six-cylinder diesels producing 339kW at 2100rpm. These are coupled to Twindisc Quick Shift gearboxes driving Australian-made five-bladed propellers via a Henleys' in-house design 3in conventional shaft drive chain and rudder system. Coupled to the engines is the hydraulic system to drive the crane, water pumps and ramp operating system. Because the ES8 uses a lot of salt water for washing down and is constantly bringing wet gash on board, ventilation to the machinery spaces and compartments is protected by Seaworth air-water separators to ensure any salt spray or water does not enter the vessel's internal spaces.
Also fitted is a Lewmar hydraulic side-thruster for when the crew is working in those bloody hard to get to tight spaces when someone either berths a ship in the way or it's a dead corner. ES8 has been designed with a full walk-around for when the crew need to use long-handle nets or grapple and lasso a wayward gash.
During sea trials the vessel attained a top speed of 22 knots, giving a service speed of 17 knots, well within her specified requirements. While her helm is very quick to respond and sensitive to touch, due to the one turn from lock-to-lock, this unusual feature makes it easy on the skipper when manoeuvring in very tight spots, but can be a right bastard when steering by hand in a seaway. Thank goodness for autopilots. In summary, ES8 is a well constructed, versatile vessel with a
large load carrying capacity, capable of meeting the duties she will be expected to carry out. Other local authorities or port companies
Arataki
Clipper IV
ES8
Lady Elizabeth IV CREATORS OF CUSTOM ALUMINIUM PASSENGER FERRIES, FISHING VESSELS AND PLEASURE CRAFT 16 Professional Skipper September/October 2011 VIP.S83
