South port s People The Rowers

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Gwendolyn Bell
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1 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, Kevin Kerr and Rebecca Jones.

A corporate relay run in conjunction with the Southland Marathon saw a team from South Port finish a creditable fourth out of fifteen corporate teams entered but, as the Port of Southland, it is

2 South port s People The Rowers South Port s winning team members. From left to right:- Vicky Westwood, Steven Lewis, Chris Ryan, Geoff Finnerty, Kevin Kerr and Rebecca Jones. In front is the cox Darcy Kerr. South Port staff members regularly participate in inter-corporate sporting events and the past few months have been no exception. A corporate relay run in conjunction with the Southland Marathon saw a team from South Port finish a creditable fourth out of fifteen corporate teams entered but, as the Port of Southland, it is naturally in water-borne events that South Port teams excel. When the Waihopai Rowing Club organised a corporate rowing challenge South Port was quick to enter a team in the inaugural coxed quads event. A few weeks of training to fine tune their technique was enough for the South Port team to PILOT BOAT PROGRESS take out the event. We trust that, with the Commonwealth Games only a couple of months away, the national selectors have taken note that the South Port team is peaking at the right time; or should their sights be set higher to Beijing, perhaps, and beyond? Christmas came and went and the Pilots were missing one present. As the accompanying photograph shows they will be getting it soon. South Port s new pilot launch now has her hull plated and is awaiting the arrival of her two main engines before final fitting out can commence. Gough Brothers are well up to schedule with her construction and delivery is only a few months away. (Front cover shows a bow view of the vessel under construction). Above and Front Cover; South Port s new pilot launch under construction at Gough Brothers, Invercargill. 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 Craigs Design & Print 2

TOWING IN THE TASNUI For some years the joint venture trawler Tasnui has been a regular visitor to Bluff, generally making a routine call to discharge her catch from the Southern Ocean.

In moderate conditions the Hauroko came upon the casualty south-east of Stewart Island that evening and at 21:15 the tow to safety began.

Hauroko brings the Tasnui to her berth with the Monowai standing by.

3 TOWING IN THE TASNUI For some years the joint venture trawler Tasnui has been a regular visitor to Bluff, generally making a routine call to discharge her catch from the Southern Ocean. Her arrival on 14 October was anything but a routine call, however. A net had fouled her propeller the previous day and the South Port tug Hauroko was hurriedly stored for sea and sent to the rescue. In moderate conditions the Hauroko came upon the casualty south-east of Stewart Island that evening and at 21:15 the tow to safety began. The following day at 16:35 it was brought to a successful conclusion with the Tasnui all fast in her berth at the Town Wharf, Bluff. Hauroko brings the Tasnui to her berth with the Monowai standing by. CORPORATE COLOURS In the twenty-seven years since the Monowai was completed for the Southland Harbour Board her funnel has been more colours than Joseph s coat. The latest scheme may be more permanent than those that have gone before as it features the black and gold corporate colours of South Port. As her sister tug Hauroko doesn t have a funnel casing she instead features the South Port logo on either side of the accommodation. South Port s corporate colours displayed by the Monowai. VIA CAPE HORN When the fishing vessel Antartic II berthed in Bluff on 19 December she became the first Argentinian ship to visit Bluff. Her home port of Ushuaia has much in common with Bluff; both are the southern most major ports in their respective countries and both are departure ports for cruise ships bound for the Antarctic. What it doesn t have is Bluff s climate for Ushuaia is located towards the southern tip of Tierra del Fuego, no great distance from Cape Horn. In fact the crew seen relaxing on deck in the photograph probably considered Bluff a tropical paradise. Far be it from us to gainsay that. The Argentinian flag flies for the first time in Bluff. 3

BLUFF on DRED The working end, the suction arm being deployed.

as a blessing; not even a blessing in disguise.

the required depth over most of the harbour without the need for constant

It isn t perfect, of course, and occasionally the assistance of a dredge is

4 BLUFF on DRED The working end, the suction arm being deployed. The New Era at South Port manager Russell Slaughter observes the dredging operation from the bridge. Few people, especially the pilots, would see the fierce tidal streams at Bluff as a blessing; not even a blessing in disguise. They do have one beneficial effect, however, in that the tidal scour maintains the required depth over most of the harbour without the need for constant dredging. It isn t perfect, of course, and occasionally the assistance of a dredge is required. So it was that the New Era arrived on 11 November from Dunedin to carry out a dredging program. Built at Dunedin in 1985 the New Era is a split hull, hopper, suction dredge of 1,056 gross tons. Her trailing Almost ready to dump. Approaching 4

FOCUS GING The hopper empties almost instantly as the hull opens.

suction arm can dredge to a depth of 15 metres and over a thousand tonnes of

As the first split hull type dredge to be seen in Bluff most local interest

Her hull opens on hydraulic rams allowing almost instantaneous emptying of

5 FOCUS GING The hopper empties almost instantly as the hull opens. work in Bluff Harbour. suction arm can dredge to a depth of 15 metres and over a thousand tonnes of spoil can be contained in the hopper. As the first split hull type dredge to be seen in Bluff most local interest centred on her method of dumping her dredgings at the spoil ground. Her hull opens on hydraulic rams allowing almost instantaneous emptying of the hopper and for local marine staff was the first time they had a ship split in half under them. The exceptional manoeuvrability required for accurate dredging is provided by twin directional propellers aided by a bow thruster. Doing the splits, the New Era dumping at the spoil ground. the spoil ground. Returning from the spoil ground. 5

MULTI-PURPOSE MOBILE CRANE South Port s Liebherr LHM320 mobile crane was originally purchased to ensure the rapid turn around of vessels working containers through the port, but this is only one

Cargo liners and container ships work to tight schedules and when a large number of container movements are anticipated South Port s mobile crane is frequently used to supplement the ship s own gear

The crane s heavy lift capacity is a useful adjunct to the port s other facilities but was not even challenged when Pacific Terminals decided to expand their Island Harbour facility.

6 MULTI-PURPOSE MOBILE CRANE South Port s Liebherr LHM320 mobile crane was originally purchased to ensure the rapid turn around of vessels working containers through the port, but this is only one string to its substantial bow. Cargo liners and container ships work to tight schedules and when a large number of container movements are anticipated South Port s mobile crane is frequently used to supplement the ship s own gear to ensure an on time departure. The crane s heavy lift capacity is a useful adjunct to the port s other facilities but was not even challenged when Pacific Terminals decided to expand their Island Harbour facility. Rather it was the crane s ability to precisely position its load that proved invaluable when two new tanks were installed. South Port s skilled operators were able to place the tanks with exactitude on the prepared concrete pads and what could have been a drawn out operation was completed in minutes. South Port s mobile crane is frequently used to launch new vessels into Bluff Harbour. These may generally be classified as commercial fishing boats or pleasure craft, but one that defies ready definition is the ungainly apparition seen here. A basic framework supported on plastic flotation containers has been given a vaguely nautical appearance by side screens shaped to resemble a conventional vessel. Barge probably comes closest to defining the vessel which is intended for an oyster farming project in Bluff Harbour. 6

VISITING CRUISE SHIPS AT BLUFF Returning for another season based in Bluff the Professor Khromov is seen in her new red hull colour, typical of vessels cruising in ice-strewn waters.

Continent. Another vessel familiar in southern waters during our summer is the Clipper Odyssey.

closer acquaintance with our largest national park than those aboard larger ships can ever hope for.

7 VISITING CRUISE SHIPS AT BLUFF Returning for another season based in Bluff the Professor Khromov is seen in her new red hull colour, typical of vessels cruising in ice-strewn waters. Although this is only her second season the Professor Khromov continues the long tradition of Heritage Expedition cruises from Bluff to the sub-antarctic Islands and the Antarctic Continent. Another vessel familiar in southern waters during our summer is the Clipper Odyssey. Here the evening sun lights her way to an Island Harbour berth before she departs for another season cruising in Fiordland waters where her comparatively small size allows her passengers a closer acquaintance with our largest national park than those aboard larger ships can ever hope for. Unlike the other ships featured here the Marina Svetaeva was making her first visit to Bluff. Operating for an Australian company, Aurora Expeditions, the Marina Svetaeva also cruises to the sub-antarctic islands and Antarctica. Originally operating as a supply ship in the Bering Sea the Marina Svetaeva is ice-strengthened and, as the photograph shows, has an ice breaking bow. 7

8 YASA SHIPPING INDUSTRY AND TRADING S/A Yasa funnel colours. For a company formed as recently as 1 May 1999 Yasa Shipping Industry and Trading operates a substantial fleet.

Three of these vessels were of the Tess-52 design and one of the Tess-45 type. As the numerals indicate these standard designs are of about 52,000 and 45,000 tonnes deadweight capacity respectively.

further Tess- 45 was also ordered. All eight bulk carriers were delivered between 2000 and 2002.

8 8 YASA SHIPPING INDUSTRY AND TRADING S/A Yasa funnel colours. For a company formed as recently as 1 May 1999 Yasa Shipping Industry and Trading operates a substantial fleet. Founded in Istanbul, Turkey, by Yalcin Sabanci hence Yasa the company signed a contract in June 1999 with Tsuneishi Shipbuilding Company for the construction of four handymax bulk carriers. Three of these vessels were of the Tess-52 design and one of the Tess-45 type. As the numerals indicate these standard designs are of about 52,000 and 45,000 tonnes deadweight capacity respectively. A further Tess-52 was ordered in September 1999 from Tsuneishi Shipbuilding Incorporated, Cebu, and in May 2000 contracts were signed with the same yard for another two of the same design and a further Tess- 45 was also ordered. All eight bulk carriers were delivered between 2000 and This was a time of rising freights with high prices being offered Yasa Emirhan discharging fertiliser at number 8 berth. Yasa H. Mehmet arriving in Bluff assisted by the tug Monowai. for modern tonnage and the company therefore took advantage of the good market conditions to standardise the fleet by selling the two Tess-45 bulk carriers. The six remaining Tess- 52 types are employed on medium term time charters and occasional spot trading. Being modern vessels with exceptional fuel efficiency they attract high quality charterers in the movement of dry bulk cargoes. All are under the Turkish flag. To be operating a fleet of six modern, handy-max bulk carriers within a few years of the company s founding might be considered achievement enough by most but Yasa determined to continue its policy of prudent expansion with further orders placed in These went to various Japanese yards, Tsuneishi Corporation receiving orders for three Kamsarmax bulk carriers of 82,800 deadweight tonnes for delivery in ; Sanoyas Hishino having two Panamax bulk carriers of 75,500 tonnes deadweight ordered there, also for delivery, and a further four Handymax bulk carriers of 56,500 tonnes being ordered from Mitsui Engineering and Shipbuilding for delivery in 2005 through A much larger Capesize bulk carrier of 207,000 tonnes deadweight was ordered from Universal Shipbuilding Corporation for delivery in April This dry bulk fleet is managed in house by Ya-Sa Ship management and Trading S/A. To facilitate expansion into the tanker owning and management sector Ya-Sa Tankers and Trading S/A was established on 1 January Mitsui then received a further two orders for Aframax tankers of 110,000 tonnes deadweight for delivery in 2007 and By the time the second of these tankers is delivered, and assuming no vessels are sold before then, Yasa Shipping Industry and Trading S/A will be operating a fleet of eighteen ships comprising sixteen bulk carriers of between 52,000 and 207,000 tonnes and the two Aframax tankers, none of them more than eight years old. Not bad for a company founded less than a decade earlier. In recent years an increasing proportion of New Zealand s fertiliser imports has been sourced in the Middle East and with a fleet of modern bulk carriers based in the region it seems likely the Yasa name will continue to be familiar in the port of Bluff.

SOUTH PORT SUPPORTING SOUTHLAND

January 2007 Vol. 27 No. 1 Published by South Port NZ Ltd SOUTH PORT SUPPORTING SOUTHLAND Children s Health Camps were introduced to New Zealand in 1919. They were prompted by evidence of poor health in