Waterjet propulsion manufacturer HamiltonJet has partnered with Whale Watch Kaikōura – a New Zealand-based whale watching company on its newest vessel – Te Ao Marama
Te Ao Marama is a bespoke 24-m catamaran designed by Teknicraft and built by Q-West in Whanganui, New Zealand. The vessel is powered by four HamiltonJet HJ364 waterjets and is equipped with AVX controls to improve maneuverability and ensure safe operability around marine animals.
HamiltonJet managing director Ben Reed said “tourism has obviously been hard hit during the Covid-19 pandemic, so we are proud to be able to support Whale Watch Kaikōura as they launch their beautiful new vessel.” Adding “Our waterjets are safer by design, with no external propulsion components. They are configured to give maximum efficiency while providing superior manoeuvring at both high and low speeds.”
Whale Watch Kaikōura general manager Kauahi Ngapora said “It’s incredible to be launching a new vessel during a very tough year, opening up more opportunities for New Zealanders to come and explore our own backyard.”
“HamiltonJet waterjets have the lowest underwater noise signature of possible propulsion units and are designed with an internal propulsion mechanism – making them the safest and best choice to view marine animals,”
“The maneuverability they provide is fantastic and critical to ensuring we can give our customers a world-class encounter in Kaikōura,”
Te Ao Marama is the ninth Whale Watch Kaikōura vessel to use HamiltonJet waterjets – a partnership that stretches back to 1995. The public can board the vessel from 19 December 2020.
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