The Bluff. May 2001 Vol. 21 No. 2 Published by South Port NZ Ltd

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1 The Bluff May 2001 Vol. 21 No. 2 Published by South Port NZ Ltd

SOUTH PORT S PEOPLE - Russell Slaughter, Port Manager When South Port revamped its management structure in 1999 the overlapping management roles in Technical and Engineering Services and Operations

To fill this position South Port adopted their usual policy of promoting from within and selected the former Manager, Technical and Engineering Services, Russell Slaughter, for the task.

Strong claims at that, having been born in Invercargill and educated at Waihopai Primary and Southland Boys High School.

2 SOUTH PORT S PEOPLE - Russell Slaughter, Port Manager When South Port revamped its management structure in 1999 the overlapping management roles in Technical and Engineering Services and Operations were dispensed with. In their place the role of Port Manager was created. To fill this position South Port adopted their usual policy of promoting from within and selected the former Manager, Technical and Engineering Services, Russell Slaughter, for the task. Russell is yet another senior manager at South Port with claims to being a born and bred Southlander. Strong claims at that, having been born in Invercargill and educated at Waihopai Primary and Southland Boys High School. Four years at Canterbury University followed studying for his Bachelor of Engineering degree. Initial employment was with a consulting engineering company in Dunedin where Russell worked on the design of multi-story reinforced concrete buildings, light industrial buildings and road bridges. He then returned to Invercargill for two years where, among other things, he was site engineer for the new obstetric block at Kew Hospital. Following three years in Christchurch working for a firm of consulting engineers Russell moved south again in 1979 and joined the Southland Harbour Board as Project Engineer for Stage 2 of the Island Harbour Extension. Russell has remained with the Port Authority ever since, becoming Deputy Chief Engineer in 1982 and Chief Engineer in Upon formation of South Port in 1988 Russell became Manager, Technical and Engineering Services, with promotion to Port Manager in 1999, as already mentioned. With three adult children having flown the Slaughter coop, Russell now finds more time to sail his 22 foot trailer yacht on Bluff Harbour or the Southern lakes and to indulge in a bit of Do-It-Yourself -ing, along with occasional house renovations. Front Cover: Another of South Port s people, Portsider editor Dave Edge, disembarks after piloting a log carrier to sea. The Bluff Portsider is compiled by South Port N.Z. Ltd P.O. Box 1, Bluff. TFN (03) Fax (03) reception@southport.co.nz Website Mr M. O Connor, Chief Executive Edited by Capt. D. A. Edge Production by Craig Printing Co. Ltd The sight that greeted South Port staff on April Fool s Day. TRUE COLOURS? Standing proudly before the South Port Administration Building is a flagstaff from which normally flutters the South Port House Flag. When staff arrived on the morning of 1 April, however, something seemed amiss. Flying above the South Port flag was a skull and cross-bones, the Jolly Roger of pirate fame. We wouldn t have really minded - but flying it superior to the South Port flag? Anyway, if the prankster wants his, or her, flag back... SCHOLARSHIP AWARDED South Port s 2001 Community Scholarship has been awarded to local woman Aimee Burns. Born in Bluff Aimee attended primary school there before completing five years secondary education at Southland Girls High School. Aimee has now enrolled at Otago University where she is studying for a Bachelor of Consumer Applied Sciences, majoring in Human Nutrition with a minor paper in Psychology. A keen sportsperson, enjoying swimming, netball and volleyball, Aimee looks forward to participating in these sports during her time at Otago University. Upon graduation Aimee hopes to become a Nutritionist and Dietician. Aimee receives her Community Scholarship from South Port Chairman, John Harrington. 2

2000 hours, 12 February 2001. The Hauroko II leaves Bluff shipping in the care of her big sisters as she sails from her home port of 32 years.

The Awanui was therefore renamed Hauroko and the earlier tug of that name became Hauroko II.

Ships working in Bluff were thus assisted by two Hauroko s.

3 2000 hours, 12 February The Hauroko II leaves Bluff shipping in the care of her big sisters as she sails from her home port of 32 years. TUGETHERNESS When the newly purchased Awanui arrived in Bluff, as described in the July 2000 Portsider, it was anticipated that the tug she was replacing, the Hauroko would soon be on-sold. The Awanui was therefore renamed Hauroko and the earlier tug of that name became Hauroko II. The best laid plans : Hauroko II remained in Bluff for nearly a year and when the Monowai was on the Syncrolift the Hauroko II was recommissioned. Ships working in Bluff were thus assisted by two Hauroko s. Potential for confusion may have existed but no problems were encountered and, after all, the situation is common in those imaginative ports where harbour craft have such romantic names as Tug No. I, Tug No. 2 etc. A sight unlikely to be repeated two Hauroko s assist the Kakariki to her berth. The Kakariki and Adelaide Pearl mooning about at the Town Wharf. TOWING THE LINE On Thursday, 14 November 1968 a new era in shiphandling was introduced to Bluff with the arrival of the new tug Hauroko from her Whangarei builders. Like most tugs in New Zealand at the time the existing Bluff tug, the Awarua, was a conventional twin-screw vessel powered by steam reciprocating engines. She was powerful but ponderous. By contrast the Hauroko displayed the incomparable manoeuvrability of a vessel powered by twin Voith Cycloidal propellers. When the more powerful Monowai joined her in 1973 the Hauroko was accorded the affectionate sobriquet Little Toot. Unfortunately her toot has proved too little in recent years and a more powerful Hauroko has joined the fleet, her predecessor gaining the suffix II. After over thirty years of towing the line locally Bluff s first Voith tug departed on 12 February for points North. MOONLIGHTING Marketing Manager David Prendergast has been illustrating his photographic skills with pictures such as this. It may be true that the romance of the sea is dead but a full moon rising over Tiwai Point certainly adds to the atmosphere. The temptation to caption the photo Moonlight Becomes You was sternly resisted. The photograph shows the coastal tanker Kakariki discharging petroleum products at Bluff s Town Wharf while, huddled under her bow, the fishing vessel Adelaide Pearl waits to get her share of this largesse. Since number eleven berth was rebuilt with new mooring dolphins a few years ago it has become almost the exclusive preserve of the coastal tankers. The adjacent number twelve berth sees a good part of the cargoes unloaded next door departing again as it is now the port s main bunkering berth. 3

Bluff on SYNCR July 1981 and work on the Syncrolift has begun. At left is the view over what is now No. 8 berth and at right the pile-driver at work. Early days.

First customer the port tug Hauroko high and dry on the blocks with the platform not yet fully raised. She looks in need of the docking.

The Syncrolift system was the invention of Miami, Florida, naval architect Raymond Pearlson and Syncrolift is the registered trademark of Syncrolift Incorporated, the company he founded in 1954.

Refinements included mobile cradles for docked vessels. These may be towed clear of the Syncrolift platform allowing multiple dockings.

It was recognised by the port authority of the day that Bluff required a local repair facility to service the port s tugs and other craft, particularly after the Port Chalmers dry-dock was

4 Bluff on SYNCR July 1981 and work on the Syncrolift has begun. At left is the view over what is now No. 8 berth and at right the pile-driver at work. Early days. Taken from the tug Monowai raised and fishing vessel Bagara. The transfer area is shed is now in the area beyond the Bagara. First customer the port tug Hauroko high and dry on the blocks with the platform not yet fully raised. She looks in need of the docking. The start of something big the Milford Haven has been towed clear of the Syncrolift for overhaul. In May 1986 she returned for lengthening. The Syncrolift system was the invention of Miami, Florida, naval architect Raymond Pearlson and Syncrolift is the registered trademark of Syncrolift Incorporated, the company he founded in As a concept it was simple enough; a submersible platform over which a vessel could be floated then raised by winches on either side of the platform. Refinements included mobile cradles for docked vessels. These may be towed clear of the Syncrolift platform allowing multiple dockings. The first Syncrolift in the world was constructed in Miami in The first Syncrolift in New Zealand was constructed in Bluff in It was recognised by the port authority of the day that Bluff required a local repair facility to service the port s tugs and other craft, particularly after the Port Chalmers dry-dock was decommissioned. This meant a passage to Lyttelton and back for docking, with even less local oversight than had been possible at Port Chalmers. After considering the various options the Southland Harbour Board selected the Syncrolift shiplift system as the most suitable. Its capacity was determined by the size of the largest harbour craft likely to use it in the forseeable future, but sufficient also to dock the then Foveaux Strait ferry Wairua. Dimensions of metres by 13.4 metres were selected with a lifting capacity of 1100 tonnes. Construction began in June 1981 and by April 1982 the Syncrolift was ready for 4

Focus the OLIFT Not a time warp. The replica of H.M. bark Endeavour on the Syncrolift. n the Syncrolift with the tourist launch Paranui between them and the Fiordland Travel building use.

After preliminary testing the first vessel to use the facility was the Southland Harbour Board tug Hauroko on 5 April 1982 when, with the winch ratchets clanking, the Syncrolift platform rose

The first commercial vessel to be docked was the Milford Haven, owned by Fiordland Travel Limited, in June of that year.

By the time she was lowered again the Milford Haven was twelve metres longer, having been lengthened by that amount.

5 Focus the OLIFT Not a time warp. The replica of H.M. bark Endeavour on the Syncrolift. n the Syncrolift with the tourist launch Paranui between them and the Fiordland Travel building use. It had cost $NZ1.8 million, including a transfer facility allowing several vessels to be docked at the same time. After preliminary testing the first vessel to use the facility was the Southland Harbour Board tug Hauroko on 5 April 1982 when, with the winch ratchets clanking, the Syncrolift platform rose smoothly beneath her until she landed on the pre-positioned blocks and the Hauroko was lifted high and dry. The first commercial vessel to be docked was the Milford Haven, owned by Fiordland Travel Limited, in June of that year. This was the start of a long and ongoing relationship between the port authority and Fiordland Travel. On 26 May 1986 the Milford Haven was again lifted on the Syncrolift. By the time she was lowered again the Milford Haven was twelve metres longer, having been lengthened by that amount. Fiordland Travel returned for construction of the Milford Wanderer, launched from the Syncrolift on 22 September 1992, and all subsequent vessels for Fiordland Travel have been built in their covered berth adjacent to the Syncrolift and launched from it. Currently their latest vessel, Milford Navigator, is under construction. The Syncrolift is also used by the local fishing fleet and, on occasion, by vessels repairing collision or grounding damage. It is the most important repair and ship-building facility in the southern South Island. The complex as it is today. The F/V Lord Auckland is on the Syncrolift, the repair sheds are beyond her stern and the Fiordland Travel building berth is at right. A recent launching. Fiordland Travel s Milford Mariner enters her intended element for the first time. 5

REGAL VISITOR One of the most elegant newcomers to the New Zealand cruising scene is the Regal Princess of Princess Cruises, part of the P & O Group.

of Sitmar by that company. The elegance of their interiors is an advertisement for Italian design and craftsmanship. Externally the design was inspired by the form of a dolphin.

6 REGAL VISITOR One of the most elegant newcomers to the New Zealand cruising scene is the Regal Princess of Princess Cruises, part of the P & O Group. Built by the Fincantieri Shipyard at Monfalcone, Italy, the Regal Princess and her sister Crown Princess were originally ordered by the Sitmar Line but completed for P & 0 Cruises after the takeover of Sitmar by that company. The elegance of their interiors is an advertisement for Italian design and craftsmanship. Externally the design was inspired by the form of a dolphin. Originally the domed casino and lounge above the bridge was complemented by fashion plating sweeping up towards the funnel but this was deleted from the final design. Whether it brings to mind a dolphin or not the profile is certainly distinctive. Clearing majestic Milford Sound during one of her Fiordland cruises the Regal Princess is herself a majestic sight. Departing Bluff on a blustery day bound for Antarctica the Kapitan Khlebnikov has now been further south than any other ship. THE DEEP SOUTH During this summer s Antarctic cruise season one of those that headed south, the passenger-carrying icebreaker Kapitan Khebnikov, penetrated further south than any vessel had ever been before. Part of the Ross Sea ice shelf broke away forming three giant bergs and allowing access to a previously unnavigable area in the Bay of Whales. The Kapitan Khlebnikov was therefore able to reach latitude 78 degrees 37 minutes south, breaking the previous record by nine miles. This had been a record of long standing as it had been established in 1911 by the Fram, the vessel supporting Roald Amundsen during his successful effort to become the first person to reach the South Pole. When the Kapitan Khlebnikov broke the record her passengers celebrated with champagne on ice in the real Deep South. THE SOUTH REVISITED The small cruise ship shown at right may seem vaguely familiar to our readers. In fact it is the third time she has featured in our pages, but on each occasion she had a different colour scheme. As the virtually brand new Frontier Spirit she featured on the cover and in the centre pages of our May 1991 issue, at which time she had the dark blue hull and red and white funnel of Frontier Cruises. She returned to the Portsider in the Hapag-Lloyd feature of January 1997, still with Frontier Cruises blue hull but with Hapag-Lloyd funnel colours. Finally, here she is again in full Hapag-Lloyd cruising livery. As one of the most regular cruise ships to visit Bluff we await her next appearance and colour scheme. Leaving the Town Wharf, Bluff, the Bremen has visited Bluff in several guises. 6

GOING SOLO With more recent memories of giant catamarans racing nonstop round the world many will have forgotten the Vendee Globe race, which was not only nonstop round the world but single-handed as

Sailing his 60 foot yacht Solidaires Thierry Dubois lost all electronics, including his autopilot, and was forced to withdraw from the race and put into Bluff for repair.

Although disqualified Thierry continued the race as a personal challenge. At least his withdrawal this time was less spectacular than when rescued by the Australian Navy in 1996.

7 GOING SOLO With more recent memories of giant catamarans racing nonstop round the world many will have forgotten the Vendee Globe race, which was not only nonstop round the world but single-handed as well. Such races invariably have their casualties and one who was grateful to be able to put into Bluff for assistance was French yachtsman Thierry Dubois. Sailing his 60 foot yacht Solidaires Thierry Dubois lost all electronics, including his autopilot, and was forced to withdraw from the race and put into Bluff for repair. In so doing he joined a long line of solo round the world yachtsmen to have done so, going back at least as far as Sir Alec Rose in his Lively Lady. Although disqualified Thierry continued the race as a personal challenge. At least his withdrawal this time was less spectacular than when rescued by the Australian Navy in I ve grown accustomed to this place the Storm Bay on one of her visits to Bluff. Solidaires berthing in Bluff. The fishing vessel Eldfisk taking fuel, water and stores in Bluff. CUSTOMISED Surprising those at sea in Southern waters recently was the Australian Customs vessel Storm Bay. One of eight identical patrol boats to enter service with the Australian Customs over the past 12 months the Storm Bay was in New Zealand waters for exercises with their local counterparts. If the New Zealanders aboard turned green it was likely to have been induced less by motion than emotion, mainly envy. Costing about $NZ9 million the Storm Bay and her sisters are 38 metres long, capable of 24 knots and fully equipped with bells and whistles, formidable adversaries for those attempting to evade Australia s border patrols. Whatever is being smuggled, from drugs to people, is usually crammed below in hidden compartments which, given the speed of these ships, is surely a case of you can hide but you can t run. FROM CAPE TOWN TO THE BLUFF Usually it s From North Cape to the Bluff but for the first South African vessel to visit Bluff the voyage was eastwards rather than south. The Eldfisk, port of registry Cape Town, is a long-line fishing vessel and very similar in appearance to some New Zealand long-liners (see Lord Auckland on the centre pages). As far as we have been able to discover she is the first ship to display the South African flag in Bluff, and certainly the first since the new Rainbow Nation flag was introduced. At only 751 gross tonnes and with a length of 48 metres she seems a small enough representative to be leading the way. 7

RETHYMNIS & KULUKUNDIS LIMITED Rethymnis and Kulukundis funnel colours displayed by the Greek tanker Taurus.

About a dozen Greek companies had already established offices in London when Manuel Kulukundis and his cousin, Minas Rethymnis, arrived in 1920.

All were from the Greek Island of Kassos, where the Kulukundis family could trace their ship-owning activities back to at least 1835, having traded small sailing vessels, mainly in the eastern

8 RETHYMNIS & KULUKUNDIS LIMITED Rethymnis and Kulukundis funnel colours displayed by the Greek tanker Taurus. Greek shipping companies have been part of the London scene for many years, but of them all none are more respected than Rethymnis and Kulukundis. About a dozen Greek companies had already established offices in London when Manuel Kulukundis and his cousin, Minas Rethymnis, arrived in They established Rethymnis & Kulukundis as a shipping agency, a venture in which they were joined by two of Manuel s brothers and another cousin, Basil Mavroleon. All were from the Greek Island of Kassos, where the Kulukundis family could trace their ship-owning activities back to at least 1835, having traded small sailing vessels, mainly in the eastern Mediterranean. The last of these, the Anastassia, was sold in 1898, the same year they purchased the Alexios Gangos, their first steamer. Having established themselves as ship-managers in London the company then looked to developing its own fleet. In 1934 the Sussex Steamship Company and the Surrey Steamship Company were established to manage the company s first two elderly tramp steamers, which became the Bury Hill and Box Hill. As more tramps were purchased Wearing Star Shipping colours the Star Antares arrives in Bluff. The Star Libra discharging bulk cargo in Bluff. further companies named after English counties were formed. In 1937 these single-ship concerns were brought under the control of Counties Ship Management Company Limited. Upon the outbreak of war a fleet of six tramps was in being, with more on order. Over 50 further ships were owned or managed for associated Greek companies, among which was the Kassos, delivered in 1939 as the first motor-tramp built for Greek principals. The British ships were requisitioned by the Government and those under the Greek flag were also offered to the Allied cause. Losses during the war were heavy but compensation paid allowed both the British and Greek fleets to be rebuilt once peace returned. Counties Ship Management was rebuilt on an ambitious scale. By 1950 the fleet numbered 18, but in that year no fewer than 30 Canadian standard type steamers were purchased, making Counties the biggest tramping company out of London. In contrast the Greek flag dry cargo fleet was largely, revived by purchasing American Liberty ships. In the immediate postwar years the tramp-tanker concept was virtually unknown in Britain, with tanker fleets being the almost exclusive preserve of the oil companies. Basil Mavroleon was charged with changing this, and in 1947 he ordered four tankers from British shipyards. To own the new ships London & Overseas Freighters Limited was incorporated in April The first new tanker, London Pride, was delivered in Over the ensuing years some 50 ships, tankers, bulk carriers and dry cargo, bore the London prefix. Associated Greek companies also moved into tankers and by 1958 Kulukundis was the third biggest Greek operator of tankers, while London and Overseas Freighters was the largest British operator of such ships outside the oil majors. Austin & Pickersgill, the Sunderland shipbuilders, was taken over in 1957, so it is hardly surprising that the first of their famous SD14 design Liberty replacements, the Nicola, should be delivered to Mavroleon Brothers. A number of SD14 types were delivered to London & Overseas but the aging Counties Ship Management fleet was not replaced and when the last of the war time tonnage was sold in 1968 this company was wound up. Austin & Pickersgill ceased shipbuilding in 1988 and in 1997 the last few London & Overseas tankers were sold bringing to a close ship owning under the British flag for this well-known company. Although none are under the British flag Rethymnis and Kulukundis still manage ships from their London offices. Their fleet of Greek-flagged bulk carriers is chartered to Star Shipping and their ships are frequent visitors bringing cargoes of fertiliser and/or other bulk commodities to Bluff. 8

South port s People The Rowers

January 2006 Vol. 26 No. 1 Published by South Port NZ Ltd South port s People The Rowers South Port s winning team members. From left to right:- Vicky Westwood, Steven Lewis, Chris Ryan, Geoff Finnerty,