Seabus Kea
Encyclopedia
M.V. Kea (sometimes called the Seabus Kea) is a commercial passenger ferry
that operates the busy Devonport
-Downtown Auckland
express route for Fullers Ferries
(Auckland
's largest ferry operator). The Kea operates a regular service departing from Downtown Auckland
every half hour.
The Kea was purpose-built in Whangarei
for Fullers, and entered service in 1988 as the 14th ferry of the company.
The Kea can carry approximately 400 passengers on her two passenger decks , while the bridge
area forms a third deck. Her distinctive design is similar to earlier Auckland
ferries in that she is longitudinally symmetrical, effectively meaning that she can be driven both ways, so that no U-Turns at the starts or finishes of crossings have to be made. This enables the Kea to maintain a half-hourly express service between Downtown Auckland
and Devonport.
In 2007, she was removed from the water and given a substantial overhaul in a shipyard in the Western Reclamation
, including major work on both engines.
Fullers would also prefer to commission a second ferry for the Devonport service. However (as of 2007) the investment of around NZ$ 4.5 million for a duplicate of the Kea is considered too risky.
In 2006, the Kea was involved in a minor collision at the Auckland Ferry Terminal with the moored Starflyte
, due to steering failure.
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 operates the busy Devonport
Devonport, New Zealand
Devonport is a harbourside suburb of Auckland, New Zealand. It is located on the North Shore, at the southern end of a peninsula that runs southeast from near Lake Pupuke in Takapuna, forming the northern side of the Waitemata Harbour...
-Downtown Auckland
Auckland
The Auckland metropolitan area , in the North Island of New Zealand, is the largest and most populous urban area in the country with residents, percent of the country's population. Auckland also has the largest Polynesian population of any city in the world...
express route for Fullers Ferries
Fullers Ferries
Fullers Group is a ferry and tourism company in Auckland, New Zealand. It operates in the Hauraki Gulf and in 2007, transported 4.2 million passengers.- Services :Fullers run ferries from the Auckland Ferry Terminal in Quay Street, Downtown Auckland...
(Auckland
Auckland
The Auckland metropolitan area , in the North Island of New Zealand, is the largest and most populous urban area in the country with residents, percent of the country's population. Auckland also has the largest Polynesian population of any city in the world...
's largest ferry operator). The Kea operates a regular service departing from Downtown Auckland
Auckland
The Auckland metropolitan area , in the North Island of New Zealand, is the largest and most populous urban area in the country with residents, percent of the country's population. Auckland also has the largest Polynesian population of any city in the world...
every half hour.
The Kea was purpose-built in Whangarei
Whangarei
Whangarei, pronounced , is the northernmost city in New Zealand and the regional capital of Northland Region. Although commonly classified as a city, it is officially part of the Whangarei District, administered by the Whangarei District Council a local body created in 1989 to administer both the...
for Fullers, and entered service in 1988 as the 14th ferry of the company.
The Kea can carry approximately 400 passengers on her two passenger decks , while the bridge
Bridge (ship)
The bridge of a ship is the room or platform from which the ship can be commanded. When a ship is underway the bridge is manned by an OOW aided usually by an AB acting as lookout...
area forms a third deck. Her distinctive design is similar to earlier Auckland
Auckland
The Auckland metropolitan area , in the North Island of New Zealand, is the largest and most populous urban area in the country with residents, percent of the country's population. Auckland also has the largest Polynesian population of any city in the world...
ferries in that she is longitudinally symmetrical, effectively meaning that she can be driven both ways, so that no U-Turns at the starts or finishes of crossings have to be made. This enables the Kea to maintain a half-hourly express service between Downtown Auckland
Auckland
The Auckland metropolitan area , in the North Island of New Zealand, is the largest and most populous urban area in the country with residents, percent of the country's population. Auckland also has the largest Polynesian population of any city in the world...
and Devonport.
In 2007, she was removed from the water and given a substantial overhaul in a shipyard in the Western Reclamation
Western Reclamation
The Wynyard Quarter is a reclaimed piece of land on the Waitemata Harbour at the western edge of the Auckland waterfront, New Zealand....
, including major work on both engines.
Fullers would also prefer to commission a second ferry for the Devonport service. However (as of 2007) the investment of around NZ$ 4.5 million for a duplicate of the Kea is considered too risky.
In 2006, the Kea was involved in a minor collision at the Auckland Ferry Terminal with the moored Starflyte
Fullers Ferries
Fullers Group is a ferry and tourism company in Auckland, New Zealand. It operates in the Hauraki Gulf and in 2007, transported 4.2 million passengers.- Services :Fullers run ferries from the Auckland Ferry Terminal in Quay Street, Downtown Auckland...
, due to steering failure.