NEW TUG

Southland Times, Issue 21198, 26 September 1930, Page 8

NEW TUG

TENDERS FOR BLUFF VESSEL.

HARBOUR BOARD’S PLANS

Specifications and plans of t.s.s Awarua, the new tug to be built on behalf of the Bluff Harbour Board, have been completed and have been posted to tenderers, and tenders will be received at Bluff until noon on February 7, 1931. Arrangements are being made to call for tenders through the New Zealand High Commissioner in London and the New Zealand Commissioner of Trade in Australia. The new vessel will be steam driven by twin triple-expansion engines. She will have a length between perpendiculars of 135 ft and a breadth moulded at the main deck of 32ft. She will have an indicated horsepower of 1,400 and the boiler pressure required will be 180 pounds per square inch. She will have a mean draft of 13ft with a 14-foot maximum draft, and her speed when fully laden will be 12 J knots. The tug will be complete with firefighting equipment and will carry salvage equipment. ■ The Awarua is to be constructed for straight-out tug and towage work and no passenger accommodation will be provided as it is not the intention of the board to engage further in the passenger service. The t.m.v. Southland is at present on the market and the board has received several inquiries with a view to purchase of the vessel. It is intended eventually to offer the Theresa Ward for sale when the Awarua has been commissioned and put into service. The Theresa Ward has been in the service of the Bluff Harbour Board for over 30 years.

In connection with the purchase of the Awarua, the board proposes to raise a loan of £12,000, and it is intended to finance the rest of the project out of revenue. The board’s estimate of the cost of the vessel has not been announced, but it is expected that it will be a figure comparatively close to the amount of the loan.