Port Taranaki tug Karoo sailed to dry dock in Lyttelton earlier this year for her five-yearly, out-of-water full warrant of fitness.
During the ‘special survey’, she was assessed and maintenance work was carried out before a surveyor from Lloyd’s Register, which is globally recognised for marine classification and compliance, gave her a final inspection and renewed her certification of class and survey for another five years.
“It went very well – she’s been well-maintained throughout her working life and is in really good condition for her age,” says Port Taranaki marine technical manager James Watson.
Karoo, which was built in 1991 and joined the Port Taranaki fleet from Australia in 2024, has become a valuable member of the port team, providing back-up when frontline tugs Kinaki and Tuakana are out for maintenance.
After more than 30 hours sailing to Lyttelton, during which the crew of six encountered some rough weather, Karoo was manoeuvred into the historic dry dock, which opened in 1883 and is a Category 1 listed heritage site.
“It can be a bit nerve-wrecking docking a vessel for the first time. The vessel is shut down before going over the sill [the raised entrance of the dry dock where the gate sits], then a winch line is attached at the bow to pull the tug into the dock. At the same time, four people on either side with lines attached to the vessel keep the vessel aligned as she’s brought in.
“Being pulled into dock rather than driving in prevents the vessel hitting the sides of the dock,” explains James
“A diver then checks the vessel is in position on the blocks, which were positioned beforehand, and the water is pumped out of the dock.”
During the next 37 days, a range of work was carried out, including blasting and painting; applying anti-foul to the hull to help prevent marine growth; maintenance on the forward winch, thrusters, and anchors; cleaning the tanks; and checking all safety equipment. Two specialist technicians from the United States disassembled and inspected both propellers with assistance from Port Taranaki staff and workers from Lyttelton Engineering.
Fittingly, with Karoo freshly refurbished and certified, the crew sailed her back to New Plymouth in perfect conditions.
“While she’ll have annual inspections from class and flag state, she’s now good to go for another five years before her next dry-docking survey,” says James.
