North Tugz, the company that provides towage and pilotage services in Whangārei Harbour, has welcomed a powerful replacement pilot boat to its fleet. The 18.5-metre MV ‘Berkeley’ was the focus of a welcome ceremony at Marsden Cove Marina today (Wednesday 20 November), following several months of refit and sea-trials.

The purpose-built ‘Berkeley’ previously served as a pilot boat at the Port of Fremantle in Western Australia. North Tugz’ outgoing chairman Murray Jagger said it would help the company position itself for the more important role that Whangārei Harbour was poised to play in Northland’s economic growth.

“Companies like Channel Infrastructure, Northport and Marsden Maritime Holdings have outlined significant plans for the Marsden Point area. The harbour and the port are key enablers for these plans and North Tugz is an important part of that picture,” Mr Jagger said.

“It’s essential that we gear up now for the role we will be expected to play.”

With a displacement of 32 tonnes, ‘Berkeley’ is inherently safer and more stable in bad weather than ‘Jack Guy’, the smaller, lighter pilot boat that North Tugz has operated for the past 20 years. It carries a two-tonne ballast tank for even greater stability and seakeeping ability in heavy seas, while twin keels help the crew maintain course and avoid broaching.

‘Berkeley’ also has a purpose-built ‘man overboard’ recovery system at the stern; a hydraulically-operated platform that the two-man crew can use to recover, quickly and safely, anyone who falls overboard.

It also has an internal, aerosol-based fire-fighting system.

“The primary role of a pilot vessel is the safe transfer of a pilot to or from a visiting ship while at sea,” Mr Jagger said. “Sometimes this has to happen in less-than-ideal conditions, so anything we can do to make that process safer for the pilot, and for the crew of the pilot boat, is a good thing.”

‘Berkeley’ was first launched in 2015. It has an aluminium hull and a composite superstructure, a cruising speed of between 25 and 28 knots, and a maximum speed of 33 knots. It is currently certified to carry four passengers.

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About North Tugz

North Tugz Limited is a joint venture company between Northport Ltd and Port of Auckland Ltd. It has provided towage and pilotage services in Whangārei harbour since 2003.