Fitzroy Yachts Heavy Transport
Story Via Taranaki Daily News.
Peter White-Robinson's latest little project is a ocean-going "bach".
In its previous life it was HMNZS Kahu, a patrol vessel used by the navy as a training and diving vessel. Mr White-Robinson, the owner of Fitzroy Yachts and now in the United States on a working holiday, confirmed by phone that once the vessel is outfitted, the family – his wife and two children – will be off.
"The plan is that in a year or so we'll do some cruising in the Pacific. "It'll be a great experience for them."
The jaunt won't be something the average family will be able to afford. A quick calculation on how much it would cost to fill up the 13,000 litre tank comes to a whopping $20,000. A look over the boat at Fitzroy Yachts' yard yesterday reveals a spa bath and barbecue on the grey steel afterdeck which went on board before the family and friends took their first little jaunt to the Bay of Islands during the summer holidays.
"The first thing that went on was a dishwasher," Mr White-Robinson joked.
However, the vessel is due for a makeover at Fitzroy Yachts that will see it extended from 90 feet to 111 feet to make it roomier. It will have proper sleeping capacity for 16 people.
Project manager Brian Riley, of Fitzroy Yachts, says his job will be to convert the vessel from a navy vessel to a pleasure vessel, starting in about three weeks.
"It's going to require some TLC," Mr Riley said. But the boss' instructions are not to turn it into a superyacht. "He says he wants `a bach' that he can enjoy," Mr Riley said.
Notorious for rolling, the vessel will have stabilisers fitted to ensure a more comfortable trip for its new generation of adventure-sailors.
Kahu was built in 1978, one of the first of five sister Moa-class ships destined to be inshore patrol vessels.
The Kahu was a dive tender and as such assisted in the exploration and salvage work on the MS Mikhail Lermontov, the Russian cruise liner which sank in the Marlborough Sounds in 1986.
"At one stage it had a decompression chamber," Mr Riley said.
Ironically, one of the other five decommissioned sister ships is now based in Picton, taking people on tours to dive on the wreck of the Mikhail Lermontov, Mr Riley says. Another is in Australia and a third is in Auckland, Mr Riley said.
LYN HUMPHREYS,
Taranaki Daily News 09/03/1
