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Hot on the heels of an Auckland Transport (AT) decision to carry out repair works on Sandspit Wharf at the busiest time of the year comes the news that the harbourmaster’s office on the wharf has closed.
AT has confirmed that former harbourmaster Graeme Kearney has left after seven years at the post and has been replaced with a skipper and a maritime assistant who will be based in Warkworth.
AT spokesperson Mark Hannan says concerns were raised that the Sandspit Wharf office wasn’t fit for purpose, so the option was taken to move to the Council service centre in Warkworth.
“Administration work, previously undertaken in the northern region, will be consolidated at the Harbourmaster’s main office in Mechanics Bay,” he says. “This will allow the northern team to be more operationally focused and to spend more time on the water and maintaining harbourmaster assets such as boat ramp signage and navigation aids.”
Kawau Cruises operator Reuben Zylstra describes the decision as “ridiculous”.
“There have been times when there have been three staff on the wharf and they have been running,” Reuben says. “I just don’t think they (AT) realise how busy the wharf gets.
“The harbourmaster basically controls the wharf, the moorings and the speed of boats in the channel, which is a big issue. How is that going to work if he’s in Warkworth?”
Mr Hannan says the harbourmaster department now has a boat crew available seven days a week, based at Mechanics Bay.
“They can deploy anywhere throughout the region by either road or boat.”
Additionally, a berth is being trialled for the harbourmaster boat at the Sandspit Marina, costing $900 a month.
“Previously the boat needed to be launched and recovered off the beach using a tractor. We now have an 8.5-metre patrol boat based at Sandspit year round. Also, the tractor was due for replacement and this will no longer be necessary. The main 12-metre multi-purpose vessel, which is usually berthed in Mechanics Bay, will also be able to safely and securely berth at the marina when it has work to do in the north.”
Mr Hannan says a new container workshop will be arriving at Sandspit to replace the existing one that has rust issues.
