FLOATING DOCK

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 152, 24 March 1938, Page 15

FLOATING DOCK

Valuable Asset To Port OPERATION AND EARNINGS The utility of the floating dock as part of the equipment of the Port of Wellington has been amply demonstrated during the few years it has been available. Certainly it has been more often used and for much longer periods than any other dock in New Zealand. Many extensive repair jobs have been carried out in the floating dock during the last three years. In his annual report to the harbour board, the engineer, Mr. E. D. Caehemaille, states that during the year ended September 30, 1937, 32 vessels made use of the dock, occupying it altogether for 150 days, or nearly 48 per cent, of the total working time. Six of the dockings were of the board’s own plant, which occupied 32 days, but apart from these, the average time that each vessel remained in the dock was 4J days. Six vessels underwent more or less extensive overhaul and repair in the dock, taking periods of from 7 to 18 days, other dockings being of short duration for periodical overhaul and painting. The average rate paid per ton per day for dock charges and rental by the 26 vessels was 3.1 pence. The total earnings of the dock for the year were £7127/8/10, and the expenditure, for working £3492/4/7, and for maintenance £2635/3/8, or a total of £6127/8/3, providing a balance of just over £lOOO to go toward the annual payment of £2261 into the dock renewal fund.

The usual maintenance of the dock itself was carried 1 out; a large part of the floor was cleaned and recoated, and the walls were again given a coat of paint. In July the board authorised the installation of a high travelling stage along each of the dock walls, to provide a readier means of painting the higher parts of the larger vessels, and to allow of cleaning down being commenced before lifting operations are complete. By the end of the year, however, none of the steel, which was on order from Australia, had come to hand.

The general manager, Mr. A. G. Barnett, in his annual report, stated that during the year the conditions for use of the floating dock were amended, mainly with a view to giving some latitude in the calculation of the time for undocking vessels after ordinary working hours, and allowing concessions in the dues payable on vessels regularly using the dock for statutory annual surveys, and' for ordinary annual repairs and overhauls. The amended conditions came into force on December 16, 1936.