Regional Roundups: Tauranga
Ahead of the Annual Marinas & Boatyard Conference, three of our Tauranga operations report on progress and developments in the last twelve months.
Following a High Court action in 2014 that saw Tauranga Bridge Marina’s consented plans to build a pile and panel breakwater around the Northern perimeter of the marina delayed, another action brought by a small number of berth holders was successfully resolved in February 2020. With a new Licence ready to go, they are currently working on an application for a 35 year seabed occupation consent to take Berth Licences through to 2055, this will give Berth Licence holders security for 35 years with their share of the wall cost to pay.
Although the pile and panel wall will not completely stop the tidal flow through the marina, they say it should diminish the tidal flow. The main objective is to eliminate the Northerly storm waves that have caused havoc on many occasions since the marina was built in 1996
Tauranga Bridge Marina has retained ownership of 196 berths that were always intended to be stage 2 of the marina, these berths were never licenced originally but some will be coming on the market to subsidise the company’s share of the wall construction - exciting times ahead.
The Tauranga Marina remains at capacity. Covid stopped its regulars departing for the islands, and larger berths to rent out are impossible to provide.
Some updates on key projects from Tauranga Marina include:
Contractors have increased the height of the north rock wall by 800 mm over the existing height. The rock wall had stood firm for 40 years and was looking extremely low in places. Contractors turned the job round in three weeks in a neat and professional manner. Berth owners extremely happy with the outcome and attractive cost.
The first components of the new J Pier have arrived from Poralu Marine, France. Covid did slow delivery up by 8 weeks so it a scramble to get the new pier in and commissioned by mid November 2020.
Pile driving, removal of the old fuel dock started on the 17 August, first boats asked to move by the 7 Sept.
The new J Pier (204 meters long x 2,5 meter wide) will add 7 additional berth to the marina, the largest is 24 meters, majority 22 meter, also 4 x multi hull.
A new fuel dock with sewer pump out will be on the end of the new J Pier.
The Tauranga Hardstand has had a good year despite Covid. Travelift bookings are steady, the four maintenance sheds are always full and the Roodberg Trailer is well supported by multi hull and larger vessels over 35 tons - who are now understanding the benefits of this type of trailers.
Tauranga’s Marine Hub, Vessel Works, is quickly approaching its second anniversary. This milestone has bought the passing of torches from Wardale Marine, who founded and managed the operation, to Tauranga City Council. Vessel Works intends to continue to support growth in the Bay of Plenty Marine Industry, offering visiting vessels unparallel services and access to local, skilled marine specialists.
Vessel Works is an approved Place of First Arrival for NZ Customs, and an approved Transitional Facility for bio fouled vessels and the devanning of containers. This enables arriving and departing vessels to undertake border control processes on site before being lifted, and increases inbound vessel traffic to use Tauranga as their Place of First Arrival. Recent changes in maritime legislation have meant that several New Zealand vessels that had been stranded overseas due to Covid-19 have now been able to sail home post lockdown to return to their families.
Vessel Works continued to provide support to essential service providers during lockdown, having several vessels from the commercial fishing fleet requiring emergency haul outs and refit to get back to work.
In its short time in operation, the Marine Precinct has already built an international reputation as the place to be for full-service marine fit-outs. The Tauranga City Council owned Vessel Works intends to continue to put Tauranga and the Bay of Plenty on the world stage as the destination for wrap around marine services.
With the current restrictions on vessels entering the country more local vessels and vessels unable to leave NZ are looking to Vessel Works and its service providers to complete these haul out and refit services locally.