Issue 950 - 18 May 2021 Phone (07) 866 2090 Circulation 8,000 One of the most impressive boats ever built in Whitianga By Tony Stickley Whitianga boat builders, Harkin Boat Works, have just dispatched a “mind-blowing” game fishing vessel constructed to order for French Polynesian sea-adventure company, Sea Wolf Expeditions. And in a delightful twist, the owner of the new craft, aptly named “Seawolf,” was once an apprentice working for boat building company owner, Brian Harkin, who was formerly based in Auckland. Initially, Brian had intended to steam the boat up to Papeete with the new owner, whom he named only as Tom. But because of border closures due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the plan has changed. On Saturday last week, a crew of three set sail for Auckland where the multi-million dollar, top-end launch will be loaded onto a purpose-built yacht-carrier leaving for Tahiti later this week. Tom is the skipper of the luxury 26m sport fisher, Ultimate Lady, which he worked on with Brian as a boat building apprentice in Auckland 22 years ago. According to Sea Wolf Expeditions, the plan is for wealthy clients to use the Ultimate Lady as a “mother ship” or a floating, upmarket hotel while using the new vessel for a range of water activities, including scuba diving, deep sea fishing, snorkelling trips, shark encounters, whale Seawolf, a brand-new 50-foot launch built in Whitianga, setting sail for Auckland on Saturday last week. watching, surf safaris, spear fishing, jet skiing and island picnics. Polynesia, he knows exactly what he wants “It is one of the most impressive boats Brian said that Tom would be marketing “Tom and I know each other very well, in a boat.” ever built in Whitianga and possibly New the vessel’s concept and design to potential having worked so closely over the years and In total, Brian estimated that Seawolf has Zealand. Most people are blown away by it. purchasers in the US and Europe once it we have been in constant contact on this taken up two-and-a-half years of his life - They think it is amazing. It is not just another had been put to work and proved itself. project,” said Brian, who was unwilling to just about the length of time he and his wife, white launch - most boaties will know what I In initial sea trials, the vessel has exceeded reveal how much Seawolf cost. “This boat is Jenny, have lived in Whitianga - but says it mean by that.” expectations. “There are already some people his concept from start to finish based on what was worth it, working on such an exceptional During the 20,000 man-hours taken to showing an interest, but because it is a new he needed in French Polynesia and he worked craft. “This boat is utterly unique,” he said. construct Seawolf, Brian said he was able design they are not going to rush in straight closely with naval architects, Lomocean “It is designed to travel long distances to call on local expertise for all the different away and sign up,” he said. Marine, on the design. economically in different sea conditions. trades. “There is a small, but thriving marine In the meantime, Brian has plenty of “Having spent years sailing around the Undoubtedly, it is one of the most advanced industry here in Whitianga, so we have had general boat building work to keep him Pacific with his parents as a young boy and 50-foot fishing boats in the world, with the no trouble finding the best people for the busy and besides, it was good to have a “bit now having sailed so many years as a skipper most sophisticated electronics and the best job,” he said. “I would love to name them all, of a breather” and continue to enjoy life in of one of the most famous boats in French gear available. but there are so many.” “wonderful Whitianga.” Distributed throughout the Coromandel Peninsula, coast to coast from Thames to north of Colville - www.theinformer.co.nz “Man of Steel” - a cycle ride that continues to grow in prominence By Jack Biddle Overnight rain and a predicted bleak forecast for Tuesday at 5:15pm and head off to ride to the us with an enduring memory and a challenging Jack and Steven, plus a group of hardened the day ahead that thankfully never eventuated top of the 309 and back,” he says. “There were bike ride and one that has grown in status over mountain bikers led by Whitianga holiday home did not deter over 30 cyclists from taking part no rules on these rides, you rode at your own the years, plus it is ridden in the spirit that owner, Duncan McLay. in Bike Mercury Bay’s annual “Man of Steel” pace and waited at the top for the last rider to very much typified his personality,” says Bike And in keeping with the “steel” theme, ride last Saturday. It’s a cycle ride which appear, catch your breath and head back down Mercury Bay president, Robbie Stephenson. local cyclist Grant McDonald turned up and has grown in prominence over the years and the hill for home. Joining Chris on Saturday’s ride were conquered the ride for the second time on a brings together cyclists of varying abilities and “The last rider to appear at the top was other local cyclists who rode regularly with single-gear vintage steel Raleigh bike from the disciplines within both the local community and invariably Kieran, but he didn’t care and neither Kieran in the past, including Tony Courtenay, mid-1940s, finishing ahead of many who were also from outside the Mercury Bay area. did anyone else. It wasn’t a race, it was more Bryan Layton and Graham Eccles. Graham is aboard far more expensive machinery. It’s certainly not a ride for the fainthearted about companionship and the friendships which more adapt at swinging a golf club these days, The ride was also used as a fundraiser for the either with a course that start in Whitianga grew from it. It is fitting that the Man of Steel but the grit and determination that saw him ride Mercury Bay Cancer Support Trust, a cause and includes ascents of the 309 Road, and the ride heads over the 309 as for many of us, it’s a the length of New Zealand a few years back with obvious links to Kieran during his battles tough Mania and Kerata hills before a push up place to look skyward and have a quiet word to were very much on display, especially on those with cancer. and over the Tapu-Coroglen Road where the an old mate once the top is reached.” big hill climbs where by his own admission, Kieran McCarten was a man many cyclists finish line and much appreciated and needed The same theme that Kieran and Chris were the lack of hill work leading up to the ride was riding this edition of the Man of Steel never had the privilege to meet, but by virtue of being refreshments awaited at the Coroglen Tavern. part of all those years ago continues to this day definitely taking its toll. with the emphasis on the Man of Steel ride being At the other end of the scale, the ride drew humble and tough as steel, he has left behind a Hard seal and gravel surfaces are all included solely based around participation. “Kieran left the interest of the legendary Swart brothers, long-lasting legacy. in the mix with an all-up cycling distance just shy of 100km. Add onto that an elevation gain of around 1,500m and it’s definitely no cycle in the park. The end result is tired legs, but a great feeling of satisfaction. The ride has become one of the most anticipated events on the Bike Mercury Bay calendar and is held in memory of former member of the organisation, Kieran McCarten, who passed away in May 2017 after a brief and unexpected battle with cancer. Kieran is affectionately remembered as the “Man of Steel” within the local cycling community which reflects back to the days when he ran an engineering business in Whitianga and also the way in which he rode his bike. The Man of Steel tag is a perfect fit says Kieran’s close mate and long-time cycling companion, Chris Brown. “For well over 10 years and in all seasons, Kieran and I would join a hardy group of mountain bikers at the Whitianga Fire Station roundabout every Local cyclists, Chris Brown (left) and Grant McDonald, after conquering this year’s Bike Mercury Bay “Man of Steel” ride. What’s happening in the night sky? Night sky information provided and sponsored by Week of Wednesday, 19 May to Wednesday, 26 May - The Moon is the star of the show this month since there will be a total eclipse of the Moon visible on 26 May. The eclipse occurs when the Moon passes through the Earth’s shadow, at first only through the edge then gradually moving into the darkest part of the shadow which can often give it a distinctly reddish colour. Each eclipse is different with the redness depending on many things, including the amount of volcanic dust in the atmosphere at the time. The International Space Station (ISS) will also be visible some mornings. Wednesday, 19 May - The first quarter Moon now sits right in the middle of the upside down question mark that makes up the constellation Leo.Thursday, 20 May - The Moon is still in Leo, but just to the right of its upside down question mark.