The 6.7 meter aluminum vessel weighs three tonnes, can accommodate up to 10 people and is powered by two 140 hp Suzuki engines, giving it a top speed of 40 knots (74 km/h) and a speed of cruise at 22 knots.

Built by Tauranga-based Kingfisher Boats and Powercats, the Tūtaia has custom features to meet the needs of the council’s marine services team.

Kataraina Hodge, Waikato Ngā Tai ki Uta regional councilor said the council’s marine services team had expanded in recent years due to the area’s population growth and abundance of boating activity.

The new vessel’s enhanced capability would be an important asset in increasing the ability to provide water safety and navigation services, Hodge said.

Regional Harbor Master Chris Bredenbeck said the boat was a catamaran and would therefore be able to operate in a wider range of weather conditions.

“One of the roles of the maritime services is to maintain the network of aids to navigation – commonly known as buoys – in the waters of the Waikato region, so several features of the vessel relate to this,” Bredenbeck said.

“Aids to navigation consist of a float attached to heavy chains and anchors to hold them in position. For this reason, the vessel will be equipped with a davit, or small crane, capable of lifting weights of up to 250 kg over the side.

“The fact that the davit is mounted on such a stable platform contributes to the efficiency and safety of working with navigation aids.”

Around 100 navigation aids are used in summer alone, meaning their deployment and recovery requires more work each year. Another 800 navigation aids are present all year round in the region’s waters.

Other features include a self-draining bridge and modern navigation equipment, with radar and two chartplotters.

The ship would also be able to carry more people and equipment, while greater fuel capacity and greater efficiency would extend the ship’s patrol range, Bredenbeck said.

“For example, we will be able to travel to the outer islands of the Coromandel, carrying council environmental specialists and interagency staff such as police divers.”

Ngāti Hei representative Matua Joe Davis blessed the vessel, which is named after Chief Te Paerata Toa Tūtaia, who was a famous chief around 1815 and guardian of Hauraki bays and harbours.

He acted as a pilot, guiding ships to port and also carried out reconnaissance duties during a period of conflict within the Northern Alliance.

Davis said Tūtaia was an honorable name, linked to security and careful surveillance.