Tuhi Rapa was delivered byAustralian shipyard Aluminium Marine n late 2022
The newest addition to Auckland, New Zealand, tourism operator Explore Group’s fleet, Tuhi Rapa, is a 300-passenger Incat Crowther 29. Built by Australian shipyard Aluminium Marine, it has been plying the waters of Auckland Harbour and the Bay of Islands since its maiden voyage in late 2022.
Tailored particularly to Explore Group’s wants, Tuhi Rapa is designed to function each a passenger ferry and a wildlife sightseeing vessel. It incorporates a variety of design components to assist enhance operational effectivity together with the addition of midship boarding doorways on the primary deck.
Tuhi Rapa’s most important deck options spacious indoor seating for 123 passengers, a big bar and kiosk, three bogs, outside seating for eight extra passengers and an overhead bicycle retailer. The mid-deck contains outside seating for 37 passengers as together with indoor seating for 65 further passengers, a rest room and the vessel’s wheelhouse. The roof deck provides a viewing platform and seats for 67 passengers.
Explore Group managing director William Goodfellow informed media in Auckland that the design of Tuhi Rapa had been tailor-made for each vacationers and native commuters.
“Tuhi Rapa has enough space to carry bikes as well as large outdoor spaces and windows for cruising and wildlife viewing in local conditions and came just in time for our busy summer holidays,” he mentioned. “We love the design and operability of Tuhi Rapa. Having owned and operated more than 20 vessels, we can safely say that Tuhi Rapa’s versatility means it stands head and shoulders above anything else.” he added.
“The design of Tuhi Rapa is based on our proven Incat Crowther 29 catamaran, however we worked with Aluminium Marine to tailor Tuhi Rapa specifically to the needs of Explore Group,” mentioned Incat Crowther technical director Dan Mace. “The result is a flexible, operationally efficient, and safe passenger ferry that also doubles as a tourism catamaran.”
“Having worked with Explore Group previously, we knew some of the finer details in the design were incredibly important,” added Mace. “It’s great to see Tuhi Rapa on the water and we’ve thoroughly enjoyed working on yet another successful project.”
