Aratere (ferry)
 MV Aratere | |
| Career | |
|---|---|
| Name: | Aratere |
| Operator: | Interislander |
| Port of registry: | Wellington, 22x20px New Zealand |
| Route: | Wellington to Picton |
| Builder: | Astillero Barreras, Spain |
| Cost: | NZ$132 million |
| Yard number: | 1570 |
| Launched: | 1998 |
| Christened: | 1999 |
| Status: | In service |
| General characteristics | |
| Tonnage: | 12596 tonnes |
| Length: | 150 metres (492 ft 2 in) |
| Beam: | 20.5 metres (67 ft 3 in) |
| Draft: | 5.5 metres (18 ft 1 in) |
| Decks: | 6 |
| Installed power: | Four Wartsila 8L32 diesel engines, each producing 3600 kilowatts at 750 rpm |
| Propulsion: | Fixed propellers, each four blades inward turning |
| Speed: | 19.5 knots (36.1 km/h) |
| Capacity: |
360 passengers 130 cars 60 rail wagons |
| Crew: | 39 |
The DEV (Diesel Electric Vessel) Aratere is a roll-on roll-off rail and vehicle ferry in service for Interislander in New Zealand. The ferry was built for Tranz Rail, now Kiwirail, in 1998 to replace the aging MV Aratika. The name Aratere means "Quick Path" in the Māori language. Like Kaitaki, she is leased by KiwiRail. [1]
Like the Interisland ferry Arahura, Aratere has both rail and vehicle decks, both of which can be loaded simultaneously through the stern through a double linkspan. In addition, she has a lower hold that has space for additional cars.[2]
In late 2009, the Aratere celebrated its 20,000th crossing of the Cook Strait, having travelled around 2 million kilometres.[3]
Contents
Layout
Aratere has ten decks. She only has ten double-berth cabins, as the Interislander service is a daytime operation.[2]
- Deck 1 - Engine and propulsion rooms
- Deck 2 - Rail deck
- Deck 3 - Road vehicle deck
- Deck 4 - Passenger accommodations, including video arcade, food court, play area, lounge, and a shop
- Deck 5 - Passenger accommodations, including outdoor seating.
- Deck 6 - Bridge and sun deck
Incidents
The Aratere is infamous for having been involved in several technical problems and engine failures over its years in service. There is no official relationship between these incidents, though the media have stoked speculation that the ferry may be jinxed and she has earned the nickname "El Lemon"[1][4]. These incidents have dropped away in the past few years, and she now operates six crossings each day (three passenger, three freight).
Notable incidents have included:
- 25 February 1999 - An engine failure.[5]
- 18 December 2000 - An engine malfunction.[6]
- 1 October 2004 - "30 seconds of potential disaster" after the Aratere has a steering fault in the Marlborough Sounds.[7]
- 10 February 2005 - The Aratere is detained after a "crisis of confidence" with inspectors noting that she had arrived from Spain six years ago in a shocking state, and they could no longer allow her to operate as she was [8] (she was eventually allowed to sail again on 15 March)[citation needed]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Strait ferries weigh on government books". Television New Zealand. http://tvnz.co.nz/content/2479724?cfb3=3. Retrieved 2009-10-04.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "ARATERE - New Zealand Maritime Record". http://www.nzmaritime.co.nz/aratere.htm.
- ↑ "Staff Newsletter - Aratere completes 20,000th crossing". The Express (KiwiRail). Issue 16, 15 October 2009. http://www.angelfire.com/tv/jarbury/auck/TheExpress_Issue16.pdf. Retrieved 15 February 2010.
- ↑ "El Lemon". New Zealand History Online. http://www.nzhistory.net.nz/media/interactive/rough-seas.
- ↑ "Breakdown sees safety authority detain new ferry". The New Zealand Herald. 25 February 1999. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=2976. Retrieved 6 October 2009.
- ↑ "Cook Strait Ferry Aratere Back in Service". The New Zealand Herald. 22 December 2000. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=166138. Retrieved 6 October 2009.
- ↑ "Aratere mishaps exposed serious failings". The New Zealand Herald. 17 June 2005. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10331141. Retrieved 6 October 2009.
- ↑ "Aratere ruled unfit for people". The Dominion Post. 11 February 2005. http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-18752853_ITM. Retrieved 6 October 2009.
- Aratere at Interislander website
- New Zealand Herald Aratere-related articles
- Dominion Post (Wellington, New Zealand) Aratere-related articles
