Regional Roundup: Focus on Northland
A large scale barge under construction at Ship Repair
Like the rest of the country, marina and boatyard operations in the sunny North have responded to the changes and challenges bought about by the Covid-19 pandemic. Here is a summary of developments at seven member operations, from Whangaroa to Marsden Cove.
Changing population prompts security measures at Kerikeri Marina
In the Far North the real-world issues of security and theft have finally taken root and so the Kerikeri Cruising Club is in the process of installing security gates and electronic access system on its marina.
Population growth in the local area is just one of the factors affecting occupancy and like everywhere else the marina is full to bursting.
Whangaroa at 95% occupancy through winter
Whangaroa Marina, which is currently exploring how its new Covid-19 policy will look, enjoyed very high occupancy through winter, attributed in part to Aucklanders seek a northern base for their boats.
Bay of Islands Marina introduces maintenance wait lists
Marina/Boatyard activity has remained high right the way through the winter period for Bay of Island Marina.
Both are full and there is a waiting list for services as Christmas approach. The boatyard has seen significant investment recently with a new stormwater management system installed to meet discharge consent conditions.
The thirty-year-old 100 tonne slipway facility has been decommissioned and a new ramp constructed to enable the 60 tonne Roodberg trailer to operate from.
Health and Safety reviews have taken place for all operations with new controls and equipment implemented to reduce risks. The yard is to be sealed within the next three months. The marina is currently having its finger piles in stage 1 replaced and sleeved with HDPE. New guides are also going in.
Port of Entry activity is well down given the border restrictions. It has been a challenge managing the significant national interest in managing the PoFA with scrutiny across the board and in particular from media. There is a permanent presence of Customs staff (33), MPI and also MoH staff onsite. Sixty vessels are expected to be returning over the next month or two – which is well down on the normal 475 normally cleared in to Opua.
Tutukaka adds freshwater capacity and boosts community involvement with Seabin Project
New water capacity is coming onboard at Tutukaka by way of four 30,000 litre water tanks that will harvest rainwater from marina buildings to supplement the existing bore water system. It will be treated with either UV, ozone or anolyte systems.
Several years ago Tutukaka won the NZMOA Environmental Initiative Award for its commitment to involving the community in its Seabin project. The project is part of the curriculum at Huanui High School and Ngunguru Primar Schools, and now a shed is being built specifically for analysis and sorting of materials collected in the Seabin.
Lastly, two new CCTV cameras are being installed on the fuel jetty.
Whangarei Marina pushing ahead with new development
Winter berthage occupancy has been great at Whangarei Marina, but the operation is anticipating some empty berths this summer due to the lack of incoming international yachts. Like all other operations, Covid-19 has created challenges.
In mid 2022, the operation is installing 100 meter of new pontoon berths along the waterfront to replace old Jetty and Wharf berths. The pontoon berths will be adjacent to a new recreation park and the new Hundertwasser Art Centre Building that is opening 15 December 2021.
A Resource Consent has also been granted to build a new 115 berth marina in Okara, Whangarei. This has been on the radar for a few years now but delays have been caused by lockdowns and complications with Geo Technical reporting and design. Now the final design, engineering and drawings have been submitted to local Councils for review and they hope to have approval before Christmas, with a start date of mid-2022.
Ship Repair takes on large scale projects
While Ship Repair is predominantly a ship repair company, recently it has undertaken to build steel barges, pontoons and general large structures.
It has a team of sixty staff made up of fabricators, welders, engineers and an in-house blasting and painting team.
Last year Ship Repair built a 28-meter barge for the Sanford’s salmon farm. It was constructed in 60-ton modules that were then lifted onto the slipway, welded together and final painted.
In 2016 it built the car ferry Sea Bridge for the ferry company Sealink. This was completed in the old Tenix ship building shed which are now unfortunately out of use.
They have nearly finished a new berth pontoon for Matiatia ferry terminal on Waiheke island and 100 ton of steel that has arrived to build a new sand barge for the Waikato river.
Marsden Cove adds capacity and commercial services
Despite another year of restrictions Marsden Marina is flat out busy.
Seven new 22-24 meter berths have been installed and three 30 year License to Occupy have already been sold. To allow this expansion the fuel jetty has been moved closer to the haul out area.
The marina commercial complex is growing with the opening of a Four Square Plus Supermarket in early December. A new liquor store and a restaurant are also in the pipeline. Ray White Real Estate has moved to a new office block complex above the Four Square.
Marsden Cove Marine Engineering is in the process of relocating to the new Kiteotara Complex in Marsden Bay Drive. Once the move is complete the Marine Chandlery will expand into this space.
The hardstand presently has 84 boats and with expected growth in this area the possible extension of the Hardstand next year is on the cards.