Sailed on Saturday, 7 November, 2009

A BIG THANKS to the Railway Enthusiasts Society, all the passengers and crew, especially the stokers who managed to keep steam up with that awful coal!

Yes, we have created a different cruise to give you a chance to view Ponui, Rotoroa and Pakatoa Islands. We depart from Devonport at 8:30 a.m. and travel via the Tamaki Straight looking across at Maraetai Beach and the coastline. Once we reach Kauri Point on Ponui, we follow Ponui via the sandspit passage (a first for the Tug) passing between Ponui and Pakihi Islands.

We then steam past the outside of Ponui past such places as Third Bay, Bryants Bay and Scullys Reef. Next comes cruising between Ponui and Rotoroa Islands via the Ruth’s Passage giving fantastic views of both islands. We then turn right – travel past Rotoroa Island and travel between Rotoroa and Pakatoa via Frechmens Gap. We go past Pakatoa and return to Auckland via the Waiheke Channel. We aim to be home at Devonport by 4 p.m. Included in your fare is a muffin for morning tea and a light lunch of meat patty, sausage and bun. Tea and coffee is available for a gold coin donation at the ship’s galley.

Your support is essential to preserve this maritime icon. Please note: course may be altered in the event of bad weather.
The fare for this trip is only $88.00

Full information with tickets is sent 10 days prior to trip departure.

To book Click Here for the PDF booking form or contact:

WC DALDY EASTERN-HAURAKI GULF

C/O Railway Enthusiasts Society

PO Box 13-684 Onehunga

Auckland 1643

YOUR HOSTS: Bruce Jackson and John Hunter

P&O Cruises’ Pacific Pearl will be re-christened in the Waitemata Harbour next year.

P&O Cruises plans to base its newest superliner in New Zealand. The 1800-passenger Pacific Pearl will be re-christened in the Waitemata Harbour on December 19, 2010. Auckland will be the ship’s home port and from here it will travel to Australia and the Pacific Islands. Craig Harris, chairman of Cruise NZ, said basing the Pacific Pearl in Auckland “is a real coup for New Zealand”. He said the industry already had bookings for the 2010 summer season and expected around 135,000 passengers. Mr Harris said cruise passengers were the fourth-largest group of inbound travellers.

Ann Sherry, CEO of Carnival Australia and New Zealand, said it chose New Zealand as the base because the country was driving much of the company’s growth. “Cruising has proven remarkably recession-resistant. As the world economy starts to recover, I believe we are in for sustained growth,” she said. “If New Zealand is to capitalise on that growth, it needs the right infrastructure and planning in place.”

FACTS

Built: 1987, renovated for P&O in 2010.
Weight: 63,500 gross tonnes.
Length: 247 metres.
Width: 32 metres.
Decks: 11.
Speed: Maximum 21.5 knots.
Passenger cabins: 839.
Facilities: Three restaurants, six bars and lounges, spa, fitness centre and gym, two swimming pools, multi-level show lounge, cinema, casino, duty-free shopping boutiques. Click for images

Great depiction of the sinking of Brittanic

Wellington’s historic floating steam crane, Hikitia, will return to its former glory with support from the NZ Lottery Grants Board.

The 82-year-old heavy-lifting crane, which is believed to be the oldest of its kind in the world still operating, is having a complete overhaul by some dedicated volunteers – with help from a $200,000 grant from the NZ Lottery Grants Board.

Built in Glasgow in 1926, Hikitia steamed her way to New Zealand at 7.5 knots.

She is capable of lifting in excess of 80 tonnes, and was utilised in Wellington harbour until 1990, when the port company decided she could retire gracefully.

She was bought by a couple, who restored her briefly before passing on ownership to the Maritime Heritage Trust.

Trust spokesperson Malcolm McGregor says it costs around $40,000 a year to run Hikitia, and although she has been “marginally self-sufficient” recently, most of their funding comes from local authorities and grants.

Hikitia’s sister ship, the Rapaki – built from the same set of drawings – is based in Auckland at the national maritime museum but is not a working ship, says Malcolm. The Rapaki is a museum ship, with displays and is often used as a classroom resource however, she could be returned to service with a little effort.

Europe has many “museum ships” and though some still work it’s “very rare”, which validates the effort put into Hikitia, he says.

“It’s unique in the world … it’s distinct … and provides a boost to the waterfront – and it works.”

Source: New Zealand Lotteries Commission

Click Here for more information on Hikitia