New Zealand marine research body NIWA has taken delivery of its new research vessel Kaharoa II, which has been christened by fisheries minister Judith Collins following the new vessel’s 83-day delivery trip from the Armón yard in Spain.
‘As an island nation, we have a strong cultural, environmental, and economic connection to the ocean, with NIWA’s work playing a key role in our understanding and management of it,’ said NIWA chief executive John Morgan.
‘This new vessel represents a significant investment in essential New Zealand science capability and underpins our strengths in ocean science. It will support cost-effective, safe, and more environmentally friendly research of the highest quality.’
The 36-metre Kaharoa II is designed by Skipsteknisk and is outfitted for six crew and nine passengers. In addition to the two trawl winches, it has oceanographic winches, a T-frame and an A-frame.
Kaharoa II has been equipped with the latest technologies, and is quieter under the water, causing less disturbance to the environment. Eight metres longer and more comfortable than its 40-year-old predecessor, it offers more laboratory and deck space.
‘Kaharoa II is a next generation research vessel that will allow us to do more great science. It also has 35 days’ endurance, with a 6500 nautical mile range, meaning we will be able to go further for longer, from inshore studies to the deep oceans,’ said NIWA Manager – Marine Resources, and director of the project, Rob Christie, who oversaw the project as a whole.
‘Overseeing the construction of a new research vessel is a rare privilege. The trick is to have an extensive support network, a knowledgeable team, and governance who understand the complexity, risks, and end goal. We had all three. The designers at Skipsteknisk took great pride in their work and, with the Armon shipyard, have given us a next generation vessel that has exceeded our expectations.’
Kaharoa II will deploy and maintain the New Zealand Tsunami detection network, maintain long-term fisheries surveys, and continue NIWA’s critical contribution to the international Argo programme, which deploys floats throughout the world’s oceans to measure water conditions for marine and atmospheric research. Kaharoa has deployed about one-quarter of all the Argo floats globally – far more than any other vessel, and Kaharoa II will continue this legacy.
