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is in charge and must remove the safety claw. We then note an access hatch and ladder leading up top to the foc's'cle deck. We have to say this is some smart thinking. Te Mata's tanks can carry up to 130 tonnes of fuel, 36 tonnes of fresh water, 4.5 tonnes of lube oil, 4.5 tonnes of waste oil and 4.5 tonnes of grey water. The heads operate on an Electrosan sanitary system with a direct discharge. The machinery space is well insulated with sound and fire protection. Towing winch and staple Moving back up top, we head up to the wheelhouse, which is more like a glasshouse with its floor-to-deckhead windows. As would be expected, the main conning position faces aft, where the master can look out over the main winch and working deck and has excellent vision all around. The central seating layout ensures all the controls are within easy reach. The winch and radio microphone controls are on foot pedals, with the twin main pitch controls to starboard or the left hand and the ship's wheel to port. Well, it's a wheel of sorts, but this controls the direction of the Voith propulsion system. The main engine revs are electronically controlled. The navigation aids include a Raymarine electronics package, including an ECDIS, a depthsounder and an SHD radar, displayed on twin CW140 daylight screens. Communications are provided by a Raymarine VHF and an ICOM SSB radio. Once alongside and hooked on, all attention is focused on the tow and the job in hand. In watching Chace at the controls, it is easy to see how man and machine can become one, as he confidently manoeuvres and spins the Te Mata within the tight confines of the port, only a few metres away from ship and wharf, knowing the full extremities and the massive power at his command. It is pretty to watch. In summary, these Voith tugs are a major capital investment and at $13.7 million, you get what you pay for. The option to go for Voith water tractors or ADS tugs will remain one of personal choice and operational requirements, as is comparing costs and deciding whether to build offshore or at home. We have the skills and the ability to build these tugs here in New Zealand and I am sure the quality would equal any international yard. It all comes down to costs, backup and through-life support. Sadly, cost is the most significant factor in the corporate decision-making process. In this case, the Napier Port Company made a conscious decision in their own design and build process. They now own the tug's design and are happy to discuss this with any other potential operator seeking this type of tug. On this occasion the partnership and offshore construction worked well, and even though it went over time, they still factored in their own design, standby and project management costs. All the savings made were to their own benefit, softening any potential cost over-runs. Would they have achieved the same quality product had they not, who knows? It would be fair to say it was not all a bed of roses, as they had some prickly issues to address during the 30-month build process and this could only be managed by maintaining a strong hand with a day-to-day management focus. The end result is the successful launching of a bloody fine ship, and Te Mata will no doubt give years of valuable service to this progressive and active port. 24 Professional Skipper November/December 2011 Anchor winch Engineroom Workshop Genset A quick peep inside the skirt SPECIFICATIONS Length overall Breadth moulded Depth moulded Displacement GRT Main engines Power Generators Propellers Maximum speed Bollard pull Tow winch Brake holding Line pull Designer Builder Class 23.8m 11m 4.5m 607 tonnes 309 tonnes Wartsila 6L26 2x 2040kW Caterpillar C4.4 producing 2x 93kW 2x Voith 28/R5/234 AE45 13 knots 60 tonnes EMS HTW-SD-30/180H 180 tonnes 30/5 at 20/40m/min Port of Napier Strategic Marine Lloyds Register