DEV Aratere in Tory Channel, June 2018 | |
History | |
---|---|
Name | DEV Aratere |
Owner | KiwiRail |
Operator | Interislander |
Port of registry | Wellington, New Zealand |
Route | Wellington to Picton |
Builder | Hijos de J. Barreras, Spain |
Cost | NZ$132 million |
Yard number | 1570 |
Launched | 8 September 1998 |
Christened | 1999 |
Completed | 15 December 1998 |
Identification |
|
Status | In service |
General characteristics | |
Tonnage | |
Length |
|
Beam | 20.5 m (67 ft 3.1 in) |
Draft | 5.5 m (18 ft 0.5 in) |
Decks | 6 |
Installed power | |
Propulsion | Fixed propellers, each four blades inward turning |
Speed | 19.5 knots (36.1 km/h; 22.4 mph) |
Capacity |
|
Crew | 31 |
DEV Aratere is a roll-on/roll-off rail and vehicle ferry operated by KiwiRail in New Zealand. Built in 1998 for the then private company Tranz Rail and lengthened in 2011, she operates four daily crossings on the Interislander service across Cook Strait from Wellington to Picton each day (with six crossings over the December/January period).
In 1997, Tranz Rail ordered a new ferry to replace the Aratika. The shipbuilding contract for the new vessel, named Aratere, was awarded to Hijos de J. Barreras in Vigo, Spain. [2] She was laid down in November 1997 and launched on September 8, 1998, just under a year later, being handed over too Tranz Rail on December 16, 1998. [3]
Aratere departed Spain for New Zealand on December 16, 1998. Her voyage took longer than anticipated. On December 20, fuses on the Starboard Motors blew. When the replacement fuses were fitted, they blew as well. The following day, the Couplings connecting the Gearboxes with the Port Motors failed, leaving Aratere adrift in the South Atlantic. The couplings were removed from the Starboard Motor and used for the Port Ones. [4] In 2011, Aratere underwent a $52 million refit at the Sembawang shipyard in Singapore, [5] 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) midsection. [6]
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". [7] [8]
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. [20]
Aratere has six decks. [20]
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. [21]
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