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Fri 03 Sep 2010 02:08
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ships and facilities
Interislander operates 3 purpose-built passenger and freight ferries - Arahura,
Kaitaki and Aratere.
arahura
The Arahura was built in Denmark in1982 and introduced into the interislander fleet
in 1983. It has capacity to carry 977 passengers, 232 vehicles, and 60 railway wagons.
Arahura is Maori for "Pathway to Dawn". (The Arahura River on the South Island's
West Coast is the country's main source of New Zealand jade/greenstone). Arahura
facilities include:
- Two sizeable passenger lounges - both offering comfort and panoramic scenery.
- A food court, bar and coffee counter
- A children's play area and nursery
- Outdoor observation decks
- A designated smoking area and viewing deck at the stern of the vessel
- Workstations for quite reading and writing
- A movie theatre
- An information centre and souvenir shop
Please click here
to view the ship's layout
kaitaki
The Kaitaki was built in The Netherlands in 1995 and introduced into the interislander
fleet in 2005. It has capacity to carry 1,600 passengers and 600 vehicles. Kaitaki
means challenger in Maori and its facilities include:
- An information centre, reception and souvenir shop
- A food court, Cafe and Bar
- A children's play area and nursery
- A movie theatre
- TV Lounges - recliner lounges
- Family Lounge
- A designated smoking area
- Outdoor observation decks
Please click here
to view the ship's layout
aratere
The Aratere was built in Spain in 1998 and introduced into the interislander fleet
in 1999. It has capacity for 369 passengers, 230 vehicles and 60 railway wagons.
Aratere is Maori for quick path and its facilities include:
- Lounge Bar and Cafe
- A Children's Playroom
- An Information Centre and shop
- Outdoor observation decks
- A nursery
- Workstations for quite reading and writing
- A movie theatre
Please click here
to view the ship's layout
did you know?
- Each year 96,578 pies and 63,210 litres of beer are consumed on board the Kaitake
- Aratere docks using a system called the iron sailor basically four vacuum pads that
suck the ship onto the wharf.
- Arahura was built with the capability to provide power ashore for civil defence
or similar emergencies. Arahura is a diesel electric ship and can supply 14 MW of
power
- that's enough power to light all the houses in Wellington!