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DEV Aratere

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Name
  
Aratere

Route
  
Wellington to Picton

Launched
  
1998

Tonnage
  
12.6 million kg

Operator
  
Interislander

Cost
  
NZ$132 million

Length
  
184 m

DEV Aratere httpsuploadwikimediaorgwikipediacommons22

Port of registry
  
Wellington,  New Zealand

Builder
  
Astillero Barreras, Spain

Dev aratere interislander ferry


DEV Aratere is a roll-on roll-off rail and vehicle ferry in service for Interislander in New Zealand. Built in 1998 and lengthened in 2011, she operates six crossings from Wellington to Picton each day. In November 2013, she lost one of her propellers in Cook Strait.

Contents

DEV Aratere Recent Projects

History

Diesel Electric Vessel (DEV) Aratere was built for Tranz Rail, now KiwiRail, in 1998 to replace the ageing MV Aratika. The name Aratere means "Quick Path" in the Māori language.

DEV Aratere DEV Aratere Interislander ferry YouTube

In 2011, Aratere underwent a $52 million refit at the Sembawang shipyard in Singapore, increasing her capacity from 360 to 600 passengers. The refit included a new bow and stern. The ship was lengthened by cutting it in half to insert a new 30-metre (98 ft 5.1 in) midsection.

Incidents

DEV Aratere Aratere leaving Wellington in Southerly storm YouTube

Aratere has been involved in several technical problems and engine failures over her 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". Notable incidents have included:

  • 25 February 1999 - An engine failure.
  • 18 December 2000 - An engine malfunction.
  • 1 October 2004 - "30 seconds of potential disaster" after Aratere has a steering fault in the Marlborough Sounds.
  • 10 February 2005 - Aratere was detained after a "crisis of confidence" with inspectors noting that she had arrived from Spain six years earlier in a shocking state. They could no longer allow her to operate as she was She was eventually allowed to sail again on 15 March.
  • After the extensive refit carried out in Singapore in 2011, she has once again experienced numerous incidents, including engine failures. On 2 November 2011 Maritime NZ ordered the ship to stop operating until proven safe.
  • On 5 November 2013 Aratere snapped a drive shaft losing a propeller in Cook Strait. This initially forced the ship out of service, causing disruption to Interislander schedules. Subsequently the ship was allowed to make freight only crossings with only one propeller for propulsion.

    • Layout

    Aratere has both rail and vehicle decks. These can be loaded simultaneously through the stern via a double linkspan. A lower hold has additional space for cars, though access to this hold was blocked off after the refit in Singapore.

    Aratere has six decks.

  • Deck 1 - Engine and propulsion rooms
  • Deck 2 - Rail deck
  • Deck 3 - Road vehicle deck
  • Deck 4 - Bar, Foodcourt, Shop, Lounge, Deck Access
  • Deck 5 - Premium Lounge, Drivers Accommodation, Deck Access including outdoor seating.
  • Deck 6 - Bridge and sun deck

    • Service

    Aratere operates six crossings of the Cook Strait each day (three passenger, three freight). In late 2009, Aratere celebrated her 20,000th crossing, having travelled around 2 million kilometres.

    References

    DEV Aratere Wikipedia
    (Text) CC BY-SA


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