Deodar III makes a splash in Capital

Auckland's New Police launch, Deodar III, spent three days in Wellington last month as part of its ocean-going capability testing.

Deodar III left Wanganui on 16 November en-route to Auckland via the Marlborough Sounds, Wellington, Gisborne and Tauranga.

Its stopover in the Capital gave Police National Headquarters staff and media a good look at the $2.8 million, 18.5m, state-of-the art vessel.

Deodar III is put through her paces on Wellington Harbour.

Under the watchful eye of Auckland Maritime Unit Senior Sergeant Martin Paget, Deodar III made a number of trips on a pristine, calm Wellington Harbour.

Aside from its modern design and latest components, an impressive feature of the catamaran is its ability to launch a rigid-hull inflatable boat (RHIB) off the stern, using a hydraulic cradle-system. The cradle is lowered back and down into the water, making for easy two-person launch and landing of the RHIB.

The boat can also be controlled by an onboard ‘mouse’ – similar to a computer mouse – which enables close manoeuvrability.

An underwater adjustable hydrofoil between the keels raises the boat out of the water at speed, making for a smooth ride and increased fuel efficiency, as does a wave-piercing design element between the two hulls.

Overall, Martin says the boat’s performance to date has exceeded his expectations.

Auckland and Wellington Maritime Unit staff completed the capability testing with representatives on board from New Zealand Customs, and Q-west – the Wanganui-based boat-designers and builders.

The vessel can operate at New Zealand’s coastal limits with 10 personnel and inshore with 30 personnel.

Deodar III will be operational around 15 December following its official commissioning by the Governor-General on 14 December.

A business case, based on Deodar III, is being prepared for a replacement vessel for Wellington’s Lady Elizabeth III for the 2009 - 2010 financial year.

Auckland Launch Master, Senior Constable Tony Flannagan, manoeuvres the RHIB off and on the cradle at the boat’s stern.