Aratika (ferry)
Encyclopedia
The MV Aratika was a ferry
that served the Interisland Line, taking passengers between Wellington
and Picton
in New Zealand
. The aging Aratika, was replaced in 1999 by the since problem-plagued MV Aratere
.
as a purpose-built freighter ship in 1974, as a sister ship to the Arahanga. In 1976 the ship went to Hong Kong
for a NZ$7m dollar rebuild, that increased her passenger capacity from 10 to 840, and her car space from 4 to 70.
During her 25 years of service she had completed 27,265 crossings and traveled an overall distance of 1.4 million miles.
In 1999, she was sold to MBRS Lines in the Philippines
and served as MV Virgin Mary until 2008, when she was sold to Indian ship-breakers for $US 4.7 million
Ferry
A ferry is a form of transportation, usually a boat, but sometimes a ship, used to carry primarily passengers, and sometimes vehicles and cargo as well, across a body of water. Most ferries operate on regular, frequent, return services...
that served the Interisland Line, taking passengers between Wellington
Wellington
Wellington is the capital city and third most populous urban area of New Zealand, although it is likely to have surpassed Christchurch due to the exodus following the Canterbury Earthquake. It is at the southwestern tip of the North Island, between Cook Strait and the Rimutaka Range...
and Picton
Picton, New Zealand
Picton is a town in the Marlborough region of New Zealand. It is close to the head of Queen Charlotte Sound near the north-east corner of the South Island. The population was 2928 in the 2006 Census, a decrease of 72 from 2001...
in New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
. The aging Aratika, was replaced in 1999 by the since problem-plagued MV Aratere
Aratere (ferry)
The DEV Aratere is a roll-on roll-off rail and vehicle ferry in service for Interislander in New Zealand. The ferry was built for Tranz Rail, now KiwiRail, in 1998 to replace the aging MV Aratika...
.
History
The Aratika entered service on Cook StraitCook Strait
Cook Strait is the strait between the North and South Islands of New Zealand. It connects the Tasman Sea on the west with the South Pacific Ocean on the east....
as a purpose-built freighter ship in 1974, as a sister ship to the Arahanga. In 1976 the ship went to Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
for a NZ$7m dollar rebuild, that increased her passenger capacity from 10 to 840, and her car space from 4 to 70.
During her 25 years of service she had completed 27,265 crossings and traveled an overall distance of 1.4 million miles.
In 1999, she was sold to MBRS Lines in the Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
and served as MV Virgin Mary until 2008, when she was sold to Indian ship-breakers for $US 4.7 million
External links
- Aratika at New Zealand Maritime Record