The biggest ship to visit Port Nelson and its flotilla of tugs is unlikely to come through the Cut until next week, harbourmaster Dave Duncan said today.
The 250 metre Raroa, accompanied by three powerful anchor-handling tugs assisted by Port Nelson Ltd’s two smaller vessels, will tie up at McGlashen Quay for a refit that is bringing 200 specialist workers to the city for at least a month.
With no operational engine, the oil processing and storage ship from the Maari oilfield off the North Island, was under tow in Tasman Bay today.
But very strict operational parameters meant the weather conditions had to be just right for it to come in on a high tide, and they were unlikely to be suitable over the weekend, Captain Duncan said.
A final decision was particularly dependent on wind strengths, with the conditions being reviewed each day.
As well as setting a new length record for the port, the Raroa is 40m wide and carries a flare tower that rises 100m from the waterline.
Captain Duncan said from the time the ship was two nautical miles (3.7 kilometres) from the harbour entrance until alongside the wharf, an operational exclusion zone of 500m ahead and 100m astern would be in place.
“It is likely this will be for a period of around 60 minutes each time and no other shipping movements will be permitted through the Cut during this period.”
The exclusion applies to commercial and recreational boats, and Captain Duncan said the co-operation of the boating community was appreciated.
– © Fairfax NZ News
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