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Investors in the Marine Precinct

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Hutcheson Boatbuilders

Hutcheson Boatbuilders, run by Don Mattson, has been in the marine business since 1993 and is well-known in the Bay of Plenty and nationally for its high-quality boat building workmanship.

The firm – which has been based out of Sulphur Point for more than two decades – undertakes a complete range of shipwright and boat-building work on recreational and commercial vessels.

Hutcheson also undertakes new boat construction, vessel refits, vessel repairs and maintenance, general marine engineering, osmosis repairs, stainless steel work, and repaints.

Mattson, who has been pushing for an integrated marine service centre and replacement for the decommissioned former slip for some years, said the industry now had the confidence that it could service both commercial and recreational boats that were of a larger tonnage than in the past.

“We have a very vibrant fishing industry in Tauranga and we haven’t been able to service their bigger boats for some time, and now we can.

“That will help locals who won’t have to travel to Whangarei for a lift anymore, which is quite a wasteful journey for a local fishing boat.”

“We’re now really up for the challenge and to move
forward.”

Pacific 7

Pacific 7 is a marine contracting company run by Sean Kelly, one of the long-established identities on the Sulphur Point waterfront, who has a fleet of workboats and barges and a tug.

The company supplies a number of marine services to local and central government, including piling, surveying, salvage and mooring.

Current projects include supplying the vessel for a seabed survey in the Eastern Bay of Plenty.

Pacific 7 has also recently purchased a 31 metre boat from the US, which Kelly said he expected would be put to work on a project in the South Pacific for several months.

His electric work boat concept (see Bay of Plenty Business News, May-June 2018) has generated considerable interest and Pacific 7 is now preparing for a project in mid-October to convert a twin diesel engine recreational boat to electric propulsion.

“We’ve got a number of people who are seriously interested in the electric option,” said Kelly.

“We’re looking forward to our tenure at the Marine Precinct. It will mean a brand new workshop for us, with new berthage facilities, so we can maintain our own boats efficiently and provide services to others.”

Super Yacht Coatings
SYC specialises in the fairing and painting of large luxury vessels.

Since its formation in 2011 by Mark Hanna and Regan Woodward, the company has worked for numerous boat builders, shipyards and yacht owners throughout the world.

The company was set up in Auckland, and its BOP-born owners are taking the opportunity presented by the precinct to move to a purpose-built facility that will become its new operational HQ.

“Our first client was Alloy Yachts,” said Woodward. “Back then SYC employed six people on a labour-only contract. We now employ around 35 staff working around Australasia. We are planning on bringing a lot of work from out of town and offshore into Tauranga.

“We are looking to hire local Tauranga people who are motivated to work in the marine painting industry and we are offering apprenticeships.”

SYC is about to begin its first super yacht repaint job on the new hardstand – a 44 metre sloop they originally painted when it was built at Alloy Yachts about five years ago. Pacific 7’s Sean Kelly noted that SYC’s contribution to the precinct would be significant.

“Painting is one of the biggest difficulties you have with maintaining a boat these days – you want to put them in the shed and reduce environmental risks. Mark and Regan’s painting facility will be a big draw card.”

Pachoud Yachts

Pachoud Yachts is a progressive and innovative boat-building company, specialising in the construction of luxury composite yachts, which has been operating in the Bay of Plenty for more than three decades.

The company is focused on: custom building large luxury yachts and superyachts, building a semi-production range of Sport Cats, the refit of superyachts, and the conversion of commercial vessels into superyachts.

“As a business we are currently going through an extended period of high growth, with the rapidly growing popularity of our Sport Cat range being a significant contributor,” said managing director Dave Pachoud.

“We are increasing our research and development in a range of fields, including hydrodynamics and hydrofoil design – an area in which we have broken numerous boundaries.

We are currently expanding our highly skilled composite, mechanical, interior and painting teams as well.

Our new high-tech facility in the Marine Precinct will be able to house vessels of up to 60m in length for new build and refit.

“We are very excited to be a part of the Marine Precinct development and believe it will be a serious benefit to Tauranga and the local economy.”

RMD Marine

RMD Marine fishes and lands fish from the West Coast to the East Coast of the North Island.

The company, owned by the three Rawlinson brothers, Roger, Marcus and Daniel, is now focusing its efforts on the company’s state of the art 24 metre trawler Santy Maria.

Launched in 2016, this was one of the first new build fishing boats in the industry for many years and has replaced a number of older boats operated by RMD Marine.

RMD Marine has been working for some years with Moana Pacific Fisheries and is partnering with them on its fleet renewal.

“Our current fishing focus is to land quality and sustainable fish with less impact on the environment,” said Roger Rawlinson.

“We have replaced our older vessels with the Santy Maria to do so. We are still catching the same fish, but in a better way and the safety of our crew at sea is held at the highest standard.”

RMD Marine/Moana Pacific has been on the Sulphur Point waterfront for several years, and will be sharing adjacent wharf space with longtime Sulphur Point occupant, Sean Kelly of Pacific 7.

“The development of the new wharf will deliver extra berthing, which is well overdue. Finalising this isn’t far away, and we have plans laid out and are ready to roll.”

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