New $2.5 million vessel launched

Media Statement
25 Sep 2009
For immediate use 

"Study nature, love nature, stay close to nature. It will never fail you"
Frank Lloyd Wright

Real Journeys is launching a luxurious new $2.5 million tourism vessel – MV Sinbad – in Milford Sound, this Saturday 26 September.

Deputy Prime Minister Bill English will be attending the launch with other invited guests.

Abbe Hutchins, granddaughter of company founders Lady Olive Hutchins (and the late Les Hutchins), has the pleasure of actually launching the vessel and breaking the customary bottle of champagne on the vessel’s bow.  Guests then lunch on board as they cruise beneath Mitre Peak.

The launch of the MV Sinbad is the latest in an ongoing series of multi million dollar investments by Real Journeys in the tourism sector and the fifth new vessel to be launched in Fiordland by the company since 2000. 

The launching of the MV Sinbad reflects the company’s strong confidence in the future prospects of the New Zealand tourism sector, despite the recent downturn. 

The MV Sinbad is a luxurious small motor vessel with comfortable seating, large windows and external observation decks.  Up on the bridge, the vessel has floor to ceiling windows that will allow for great viewing even on the wettest Fiordland days. The MV Sinbad has been purpose built to provide passengers with an exceptional experience, combining classical lines with excellent viewing opportunities. A maximum capacity of 75 passengers ensures a premium excursion.

The MV Sinbad was designed locally and built in Southland and is testimony to the quality of craftsmanship and expertise in the local ship building industry.

The MV Sinbad will be used for Real Journeys very popular Milford Sound Nature Cruises, enabling the number of departures to double to six times per day during the peak summer season.  Luxury coach services from Queenstown and Te Anau will operate year round connecting with these cruise departures.  The introduction of the MV Sinbad to the Nature Cruises fleet has also enabled the commencement of a new flight and nature cruise option from Queenstown.

Dave Hawkey, CEO Real Journeys believes “the growing popularity of the Nature Cruises is due to this extended, leisurely cruise option with a specialist nature guide onboard providing what visitors are looking for”. 

“Company passenger research shows visitors are becoming increasingly discerning, with a strong preference for natural, authentic experiences.  They want small-group, interactive high-quality excursions that are sensitive to the environment.  High quality interpretation provided by guides is also important to them.”

“As arguable the most iconic destination in New Zealand, it is important that Milford Sound continues to provide a high quality experience for visitors and launching of the MV Sinbad has definitely enabled us to enhance further what we offer travelers.”

DESIGNING AND BUILDING THE MV SINBAD - THE STORY

Real Journeys has taken a more “hands-on” approach than usual to the building of our latest vessel.

Company engineer Jim Young, who has been with Real Journeys since 1984, has been actively involved in the design and build of every new boat built for the company’s fleet. But this time he and his team really rolled their sleeves up.

Mr Young first sketched the MV Sinbad on a paper napkin while on a trip to Australia in 2006. His aim was to build a “radical” new vessel that would appeal to Milford Sound’s increasingly discerning visitors.

Mr Young’s initial concept was then turned into plans by accredited naval architect Drew Bryant in conjunction with CAD driver Aiden Bird and Mr Young.

But when it came time to have the boat built, no firm could do it in the timeframe required. Because the design was not quite so straightforward as traditional tourist vessels, Real Journeys opted to have its own staff build it.

Mr Young organised the hiring of facilities at Sheet Metalcraft in Invercargill, along with three of that company’s men, then “put the overalls on and started work”.

The first pieces of metal were welded together on 18 February 2008, with the keel laid in early March. The boat was then moved to Real Journeys’ workshop at Bluff where the company’s own staff and maintenance contractors worked on the fit-out.

Designed as a sea-going capacity boat, the MV Sinbad has a very strong aluminium multi-chine hull. It is driven by two MTU 14-litre marine diesel engines and also has two generating plants. It is designed to cruise at between 11.5 and 12 knots.

But what really makes it stand apart is the floor-to-ceiling glazing on the upper deck. From the hull up, the vessel is essentially a big glasshouse.

The vessel is designed so everyone can sit inside and get full and uninterrupted views. Alternatively, the spacious viewing decks provide plenty of room for passengers to spread out outside.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Constructed by: Sheet Metalcraft in Invercargill & Real Journeys

Year of Completion: 2009

Design Concept: Real Journeys company engineer Jim Young
                 
Designed by: Duffill Watts / CPG
 
Overall length: 21 metres
 
Water line length: 19.1 metres
 
Moulded Breadth: 6.6 metres  (inside hull, exterior of frames)
 
Moulded Depth:  2.28 metres  (topside of keel plate to underside of deck sole)

Power: Twin Series 60 MTU.

Gearboxes: Twin Disc
 
Passengers: 96 (we will carry up to 75 on our Nature Cruises)
 
Crew: 3

Speed: 12 knots

For further comment, please contact:

Dave Hawkey - Real Journeys CEO
Phone:  03 249 8627 or 027 233 7931
Email: dhawkey@realjourneys.co.nz

Jim Young
Company Engineer
Phone: 027 433 0357

Robyn Jebson
GM - Marketing and National Sales
Phone:  03 442 7509 or 027 222 5851
Email: rjebson@realjourneys.co.nz

Paul Norris
Area Manager Milford Sound and Doubtful Sound
Phone: 03 249 8643 or 021 222 9057
Email: pnorris@realjourneys.co.nz 

MV Sinbad