DEV Aratere
DEV Aratere after her 2011 modifications
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| History | |
|---|---|
| Name: | Aratere |
| Operator: | Interislander |
| Port of registry: |
Wellington,  New Zealand
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| Route: | Wellington to Picton |
| Builder: | Astillero Barreras, Spain |
| Cost: | NZ$132 million |
| Yard number: | 1570 |
| Launched: | 1998 |
| Christened: | 1999 |
| Identification: |
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| Status: | In service |
| General characteristics (after 2011 modifications) | |
| Tonnage: | 12596 tonnes |
| Length: | 183.5 m (602 ft 0.4 in) |
| Beam: | 20.5 m (67 ft 3.1 in) |
| Draft: | 5.5 m (18 ft 0.5 in) |
| Decks: | 6 |
| Installed power: | Four Wärtsilä 8L32 diesel engines, each producing 3600 kilowatts at 750 rpm |
| Propulsion: | Fixed propellers, each four blades inward turning |
| Speed: | 19.5 knots (36.1 km/h; 22.4 mph) |
| Capacity: |
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| Crew: | 31 |
DEV Aratere is a roll-on roll-off rail and vehicle ferry in service for Interislander in New Zealand. Built in 1998 and lengthened in 2011, she operates six crossings from Wellington to Picton each day. In November 2013, she lost one of her propellers in Cook Strait.
Diesel Electric Vessel (DEV) Aratere was built for Tranz Rail, now KiwiRail, in 1998 to replace the ageing MV Aratika. The name Aratere means "Quick Path" in the Māori language.
In 2011, Aratere underwent a $52 million refit at the Sembawang shipyard in Singapore, increasing her capacity from 360 to 600 passengers. The refit included a new bow and stern. The ship was lengthened by cutting it in half to insert a new 30-metre (98 ft 5.1 in) midsection.
Aratere has been involved in several technical problems and engine failures over her years in service. There is no official relationship between these incidents, though the media have stoked speculation that the ferry may be jinxed and she has earned the nickname "El Lemon". Notable incidents have included:
Aratere has both rail and vehicle decks. These can be loaded simultaneously through the stern via a double linkspan. A lower hold has additional space for cars, though access to this hold was blocked off after the refit in Singapore.
Aratere has six decks.
Aratere operates six crossings of the Cook Strait each day (three passenger, three freight). In late 2009, Aratere celebrated her 20,000th crossing, having travelled around 2 million kilometres.
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Wikipedia