Either way you look at her, the Clipper IV shows a clean pair of keels
Access to the lazarette is off the aft deck, with a comprehensive toolbox and a small workshop in the port hull, while in the starboard hull a fire hose reel is mounted out of the weather and yet still with ease of access. Both the ladies' and gents' heads are installed aft and accessed
off the aft deck from behind the saloon doors. Both heads discharge into a sewage holding tank. Stepping into the saloon, one quickly appreciates the change in size, with seating for 90, with the outer seats arranged around 10 tables, while the central 32 seats remain for'ard-facing aircraft-style. Under each seat is a locker where each passenger will find their own lifejacket if the need should arise.
The main saloon is fully airconditioned for passenger comfort with all windows doubled-glazed, eliminating that annoying fogging problem on chilly mornings. Overhead deckhead panels are made from a ventilated aluminum giving a functional and attractive lift to the saloon.
The décor throughout has been tastefully done, making a relaxing atmosphere for commuters. There is no café or provision for a bar service. We note the use of annulled grooved stainless steel tubing for the overhead and other handrails throughout the ferry. This not only looks good and gives a positive grip on the rails, but also does not show grubby fingermarks. To ensure the crew can keep the main cabin spic and span, the Clipper IV is equipped with an internal vacuum system with two sucky-moto connections, one for'ard and one aft. Moving for'ard, we enter the spacious wheelhouse and step out onto the starboard wing where there is a small side gate and a Blue Arrow MouseBoat control for berthing. I have said it before that every boat should have this system, as it makes the master of the vessel look good.
It's child's play, and one of the most innovative leaps forward in the world of waterjet power, and our world-leading New Zealand company Hamilton Jet developed it. Kiwi ingenuity at its best.
The foredeck is clear apart from the Danforth anchor stowed flat on deck and a small capstan and winch.
Crew access to the top deck is on the port side. Once up top we find three airconditioning units, with the Kohler 20kVa genset in its own hush box for'ard just behind the wheelhouse screen with the static solid emergency floats stowed aft.
Mounting the genset up top, close to the main aircon units reduced cable runs and kept the unit out of the hulls, reducing the potential for transferred noise into the cabin. Back in the wheelhouse, the main conning position is central with a KAB pilot seat facing an impressive range of Furuno electronics on the dash panel.
Pine Harbour Ferries was very specific about the requirements of their navigational equipment, said Ryan Castles from Pine Harbour Electrical Limited, who was responsible for the supply and install. "The main required feature was to have a dual-range radar critical for running in fog, very fast and accurate satellite compass heading sensor, important data to be on a separate repeater displays and to be able to use dual Nauticomp marine displays off the one system," he said.
"The Furuno 3D Blackbox system ticked all the boxes. We have installed a Furuno Navpilot and a Furuno RD33 data display. Heading data and GPS position is delivered via a Furuno SC-30 satellite compass. AIS is the Furuno class A system." A 1kW transducer and sounder module delivers depth information and is mounted in a tank inside the hull shooting through the hull. The 6kW Furuno radar delivers incredible
VIP.S84
12 Professional Skipper November/December 2011
