DEV Aratere after her 2011 modifications |
|
| Career | |
|---|---|
| Name: | Aratere |
| Operator: | Interislander |
| Port of registry: | Wellington, New Zealand |
| Route: | Wellington to Picton |
| Builder: | Astillero Barreras, Spain |
| Cost: | NZ$132 million |
| Yard number: | 1570 |
| Launched: | 1998 |
| Christened: | 1999 |
| Status: | In service |
| General characteristics (after 2011 modifications) |
|
| Tonnage: | 12596 tonnes |
| Length: | 183.5 m (602 ft 0.4 in) |
| Beam: | 20.5 m (67 ft 3.1 in) |
| Draft: | 5.5 m (18 ft 0.5 in) |
| Decks: | 6 |
| Installed power: | Four Wartsila 8L32 diesel engines, each producing 3600 kilowatts at 750 rpm |
| Propulsion: | Fixed propellers, each four blades inward turning |
| Speed: | 19.5 knots (36.1 km/h) |
| Capacity: | 670 passengers 230 cars 28 rail wagons |
| Crew: | 31 |
The DEV (Diesel Electric Vessel) Aratere is a roll-on roll-off rail and vehicle ferry in service for Interislander in New Zealand. The ferry was built for Tranz Rail, now KiwiRail, in 1998 to replace the aging MV Aratika. The name Aratere means "Quick Path" in the Māori language.[1]
Like the Interisland ferry Arahura, Aratere has both rail and vehicle decks, both of which can be loaded simultaneously through the stern via a double linkspan. In addition, she has a lower hold that has space for additional cars.[2]
In late 2009, Aratere celebrated her 20,000th crossing of the Cook Strait, having travelled around 2 million kilometres.[3]
Aratere has recently returned to Wellington following her refit at the Sembawang shipyard in Singapore.[4] The refit includes new stern, bow and a new 30-metre (98 ft 5.1 in) section mid-ship. The changes will improve her capacity and efficiency.[5]
Contents |
Aratere has ten decks. She only has ten double-berth cabins, as the Interislander service is only a 3-4 hour crossing.[2]
Aratere is infamous for having 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".[1][6] These incidents have dropped away in the past few years, and she now operates six crossings each day (three passenger, three freight).
Notable incidents have included:
After the extensive refit carried out in Singapore in 2011, the ship once again experienced numerous incidents, including engine failures. On 2 November 2011 Maritime NZ ordered the ship to stop operating until it was proven safe.[11]