Return to sails for fishing boat

Press, 20 January 1984, Page 1

Return to sails for fishing boat

Two Lyttelton fishermen have acted on an idea which will preserve a piece of history and, they believe, earn them a livelihood.

Messrs Bruce and John Cox, who are brothers, are restoring an 83-year-old kauri schooner which they hope will make a proud return to the fishing grounds in about six months.

The two-masted Moerangi will have an auxiliary engine, but sail will be her main source of power. “Most modern fishing boats are spending about 33 per cent of their catch on

fuel,” said Mr Bruce Cox, a fisherman for 12 years, yesterday. “We hope to get this down to about 10 per cent, or less.”

He believes the wind will drive the vessel at Bt4 to 10 knots, but the economical auxiliary engine will be used if the breeze drops.

The Cox brothers have already spent about 2000 hours and $5OOO on materials restoring the schooner. Their aim is to have the Moerangi retain the look of a traditional schooner, while below deck she will have all

the facilities of a modern fishing vessel, including a five-tonne hold. Among the work they have done so far is the complete redecking of the 17m vessel and the installation of two masts. Their next tasks are to put in fuel tanks, steering gear, and a wheelhouse, as well as make the rigging and sails. All the work is being done under the guidelines set down by the Marine Division, which ensure a vessel is seaworthy. Mr Cox said he and his brother hoped to make the vessel as comfortable as

possible, “a home away from home.” When fully restored, the Moerangi will boast two cabins, a galley and mess room, and a saloon. The Cox brothers acquired the vessel at Lyttelton about 18 months ago. The vessel was then not in the best condition. Mr Cox said the Moerangi had spent most of her life working off the east coast of the South Island. She was built in Auckland in 1901. She carried cargo until 1915 when she was converted to a fishing vessel and was based at Port

Chalmers. She was the mother ship for a number of smacks and used to tow them to the fishing grounds. She later worked as a fishing vessel based at Akaroa and “ended up” at Lyttelton about 18 months ago, Mr Cox said. Now, at the age of 83, the Moerangi is on the verge of making a comeback.

Mr Cox said that after a lot of research be and his brother felt the schooner would be a viable fishing vessel. They will not just fish off the Canterbury coast, but plan to fish round the New Zealand coastline.