MV Aratika
MV Aratika was a roll-on/roll-off train ferry that operated on the Interislander between Wellington and Picton in New Zealand from 1974 until 1999.
 Aratika following her 1976 refit | |
| History | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Name | MV Aratika |
| Route | Wellington - Picton |
| Builder | Chantiers Dubigeon. Nantes |
| Cost | $NZ 8.8 million |
| Yard number | 138 |
| Launched | 8 November 1973 |
| In service | 1974 |
| Out of service | 1999 |
| Identification | IMO number: 7347835 |
| Fate | Sold to MBRS Lines as MV Virgin Mary in the Philippines in 1999. Scrapped in 2008 |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type | Roll-on/roll-off, train ferry |
| Tonnage | 9,035 GT (prior to refit) |
| Displacement | 4089 net tons (prior to refit) |
| Length | 127.7 m (419 ft) |
| Beam | 18.7 m (61 ft) |
| Draft | 5.09 m (16.7 ft) |
| Propulsion | 2 x SEMT Pielstick |
| Capacity | 840 passengers (originally 10), 70 cars (originally 4), rail wagons |
The Ministry for Culture & Heritage gives Aratika as a Māori-language word meaning direct path.[1]
History
Aratika was built by Chantiers Dubigeon in France for the New Zealand Railways Department to operate between Wellington and Picton.[2] She was built to carry rail freight only[3] Launched in November 1973, the ship arrived in Wellington in June 1974.[4][5][6]
In 1976 she was converted by Hongkong United Dockyards to carry passengers and private vehicles as well as railway wagons.[7] This increased her passenger capacity from 10 to 840, and the car space from four to 70.[8]
During her 25 years of service the vessel completed 27,265 crossings and traveled an overall distance of 1,400,000 miles (2,300,000 km).
In 1999, she was sold to MBRS Lines in the Philippines and served as MV Virgin Mary until 2008, when sold to Indian ship-breakers.[9]
References
- "1000 Māori place names". New Zealand Ministry for Culture and Heritage. 6 August 2019.
- Fourth Ferry on Order Network June 1971 page 1
- New ferry to be rail only Rails September 1973 page 14
- Fourth NZ rail ferry launched Network December 1973 page 1
- Aratika launching Rails January 1974 page 15
- Fourth ferry here Rails August 1974 page 11
- Down to the Sea in Trains Network March 1976 page 4
- Rebuilt Aratika back in service Rails May 1977 page 15
- "On the waterfront: Former ferry ready for last run". Otago Daily Times. 28 July 2008.