May maintenance for Hokianga ferry service

A passenger-only service will operate on the Hokianga Harbour from Monday 1 May for about a month while the council’s vehicle ferry undergoes maintenance.

Ferry services for vehicles between Rāwene and Kohukohu will be suspended while the Kohu Ra Tuarua undergoes its out of water survey and maintenance as required by Maritime New Zealand (MNZ). A replacement ferry service for passengers only will run to the normal ferry timetable during this time.

Calvin Thomas, General Manager at Northland Transportation Alliance says the ferry maintenance has been timed to fall outside the peak tourist season to cause as little disruption to motorists and local businesses as possible.

“The ferry trip takes just 15 minutes, compared to the 90-minute road journey to Kohukohu, so we are very aware of how important this service is to the Hokianga community, especially hospital staff at Hauora Hokianga in Rāwene, as well as to those visiting our district.

“We trust that residents and visitors will understand the council must ensure the vessel is maintained to the highest maritime safety standards, but we do regret any inconvenience that may be caused. Pulling our vehicle ferry out of the water periodically is unavoidable to fulfil the statutory obligations set by MNZ.”

While a replacement service will run for the 30 days the vehicle ferry is in dry dock it will not have the vehicle transporting capability of the 145 tonne Kohu Ra Tuarua, so will be strictly foot passengers only. Another difference to the service is the Kohukohu drop off and loading location. The replacement ferry will operate between Rāwene and the wharf in Kohukohu town – not the ferry landing at Narrows Wharf which is located about four kilometres south of Kohukohu town. Signs informing users of the change will be erected at key intersections leading up to and during the passenger-only service.

Hospital staff at Hauora Hokianga in Rāwene and other regular vehicle ferry users are being advised to plan alternative commuting arrangements in advance.

Previous water survey and maintenance work has been completed in around a two-week timeframe, but because the ferry is now around 25 years old, more significant maintenance is required. This includes refurbishment and repairs of the two main hydraulic ramps, as well as major painting works on the hull, bulwarks, deck and all tanks on board. This work is planned to be completed within five weeks.

The vessel was last out of the water for its periodic survey in 2017 when a similar replacement passenger-only ferry service was run.

The dates for the scheduled maintenance are weather-dependent. Go to the council website for updated information on the Hokianga ferry service. 

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Below - from Monday 1 May the replacement ferry service will pick up and drop off passengers from the Kohukohu town wharf. 

Below - the Narrows Wharf at Kohukohu will not operate from 1 May, during the month of maintenance.

Below - posters alerting ferry users to the upcoming maintenance have been distributed around the Far North.

Below - the replacement ferry service will not have the vehicle transporting capability of the 145 tonne Kohu Ra Tuarua, and will be passenger-only.

 

Main photo - the ferry drop-off and loading location at Rāwene will remain unchanged throughout the maintenance period.