64 Boating New Zealand
An Auckland boatbuilder has partnered with
a Bay of Plenty iwi and a local mussel farming
company to build an innovative new vessel
and offer training scholarships for local youth.
McMullen and Wing is taking on up
to six school leavers from Opotiki, where
employment options for young people are
limited, to learn boat building through on-
the-job training.
The partnership with Whakatohea
Mussels and the Whakatohea Maori Trust
Board also includes a contract to build a new
customised vessel for the mussel farming
business based in the Bay of Plenty.
“McMullen and Wing is taking a history
of innovation and partnership to a new
level with Whakatohea Mussels and the
Whakatohea Maori Trust Board. Not only
will we build a fantastic custom-made
vessel for them, we will involve their young
people in the factory actually building it, and
building great careers for themselves at the
same time,” says McMullen and Wing CEO,
Michael Eaglen.
“Whakatohea Maori Trust Board, who
are the major shareholders in WhakatoheaMussels’ aquaculture business, have a
focus on creating sustainable high-quality
employment opportunities for the people
of Opotoki,” says Eaglen. “Our trainee
programme is aimed at further supporting
that work by offering these young people a
career pathway in a growing industry where
skill shortages are prevalent.”
The six youths, aged between 16
and 18, will be trained in metal work and
construction skills they can immediately
apply to building the marine farming vessel
for Whakatohea Mussels, which will directly
impact their own community.
Whakatohea Mussels Chief Executive
Peter Vitasovich is pleased by McMullen
and Wing’s commitment to supporting their
vision for the region.
“We’re working hard in the region to
grow opportunities for our people and we
are thrilled McMullen & Wing have this vision
to use our project to help us expand the
options even more broadly.”
The mussel farm is a commercial
project that is part of the Whakatohea Maori
Trust Board’s long-term vision to generatefinancial returns and create sustainable
employment for the region and its people.
McMullen and Wing will be constructing
a highly customised vessel. Some of
the standout features include: a special
high-stability design; comfortable interior
conditions for farm workers; and a range
of eco-focused features to minimise
environmental impact and maximise end-
product quality.
The aquaculture vessel is expected to
launch in September 2018.
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BoatSmart HQ, the app service which ensures a vessel is safe and water-
ready, has teamed up with Gulf Group Marine Brokers to provide vessel
support and maintenance services to their clients.
The companies offer complementary services to boat owners and
aspiring seafarers – Gulf Group acting as brokers for yachts, launches
and commercial vessels, and BoatSmart HQ managing all of the
critical service and maintenance elements of boating so owners can
enjoy a worry-free life at sea.
Gulf Group Marine Brokers has 10 branches in New Zealand and
an office in Fiji. The group offers a large portfolio of yachts, launches,
commercial vessels and marina berths, along with competitive
marine insurance rates, finance and vessel appraisals.
BoatSmart HQ’s Scott Richardson says the app-based service
solves many challenges for boat owners who may not have the time or
expertise to get their vessels in shipshape condition.
“Boat maintenance is essential and inevitable, not optional.We keep our members’ boats up to date, thereby preserving the asset
value and safety of all on-board.”
The service also includes a year’s free membership to the
Coastguard to make sure you have peace of mind when you leave
the marina.
http://www.boatsmarthq.com
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