New improved workboat blessed

Northland Regional Council’s new $3.2 million workboat was blessed and officially named Waikare II in the Bay of Islands on April 30.

The 17.5-metre catamaran replaces the 20-year-old Waikare and will be used for maintenance on buoys and beacons, responding to oil spills, acting as a pilot vessel, and for salvage and dive operations from Mangawhai north and down the Kaipara coast.

The new vessel, which was built in Whangarei by Circa Marine, has a top speed of 20 knots and is powered by two fuel-efficient diesel engines compliant with international emission standards.

Regional harbourmaster Jim Lyle said council had been keen on electric power options, but given the workboat’s size and required range, it unfortunately wasn’t an option.

Instead, a lot of time was spent optimising the hull form for fuel efficiency and the boat has improved buoyancy in its upper hulls to prevent slamming in heavy seas.

“It has also been wrapped in a special environmentally-friendly silicon wrap antifoul, which will save on haul-outs, annual antifoul and loss of performance due to fouling,” Lyle said.

The cost of building Waikare II more than doubled since it was commissioned, due to covid affecting the price of materials, transport and labour. That caused council to borrow the full cost through the Local Government Funding Agency and repay it over 15 years, which has put around 80 cents on the average rates bill this year.

The name Waikare, which means rippling waters, was gifted by Te Kapotai hapu, who blessed the Waikare II at the launch ceremony at Opua.

Council chair Geoff Crawford said the new vessel was a necessary asset that ratepayers could be proud of.

“Circa has delivered the vessel on time and on budget, in very trying financial times. Council is extremely satisfied and pleased with the build quality, layout and finish,” he said.

The old Waikare workboat will be sold by council.