HISTORIC EX PILOT BOAT – ARAHINA – NEEDS SAVING

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HISTORIC EX PILOT BOAT – ARAHINA – NEEDS SAVING

Recently WW was contacted by ‘Wellington Waterfront’ regarding one of Wellington’s historic pilot boats – ARAHINA, that was available for purchase. Currently moored at Queens Wharf, the 66′ ARAHINA is a beautiful vessel constructed from Kauri wood and was originally delivered to Wellington in 1925.

In addition to its piloting duties, the Arahina played a heroic role in the rescue of dozens of passengers and three crew members from the sinking Wahine on April 10, 1968.

Wellington Waterfront are seeking a new owner who will cherish and preserve the ARAHINA for the next century. Ideally, they hope it remains in Wellington, as it represents a significant piece of the regions maritime heritage. The sale is via court order to pay mounting berth costs.

If you are interested in owning this remarkable vessel, please follow the link below for more details.

Tenders are welcome!

https://www.seaboats.net/19m-ex-pilot-launch-for-sale-by-tender-1586437
B/W photo courtesy of the Maritime Archaeological Association of NZ.

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2 thoughts on “HISTORIC EX PILOT BOAT – ARAHINA – NEEDS SAVING”

  1. ARAHINA arrived in Wellington from Bailey and Lowe’s yard in Auckland on 31st October 1925. On trials she achieved 10 knots with her 100HP Fairbanks Morse engine. In 1954/55, ARAHINA had major work done on her structure and a new wheelhouse added. This was done by Wellington Harbour Board shipwrights, at a cost of 18,000 pounds. In 1979, she went to Jorgensen’s in Picton for another refit, and on her return (under tow) she had the 193HP Kelvin engine fitted. She was sold into private ownership at the end of 1987 and relocated to Picton.

    She is remembered by one Wellington pilot who knew her well as “a narrow gutted single screw vessel. She was a seaworthy vessel but tended to broach severely in a following sea, as was often experienced off Pencarrow in a southerly”. On one such occasion when she picked up speed on the face of a large sea astern, her stern picked up and over she went, throwing her Launchmaster into the corner of the wheelhouse as he tried but failed to keep her on course. The pilot and engineer eyed each other as they made for the open wheelhouse door. But ARAHINA recovered herself and all was well enough.

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  2. Sadly, Oh Fearless Leader, you have suggested several fine boats as being great potential live-aboards.

    I regret that here is one ship apparently (and sadly) suffering from liveaboarditis. Utterly neglected and full of homely comforts and doubtless electrickery that has possibly caused a rash of deadly electrolysis.

    She is gorgeous; moreso because of that fabulous Kelvin. When the WHB sold her off many years ago, she had just been refastened by Jorgensons and dead original. Lying in the same berth if I recall correctly. The wheelhouse has been extended aft which spoils the looks a tad. She had a car helm back then, which I hated and slated for replacement, but one of the skippers apparently got his jaw broken when hit by the wildly flinging wheel during some spirited manoeuvring. Paul D will be able to fill in details I’m sure.

    I put in a tender which was on the low side. The rest is history. Sobs all round.

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