Kea (ferry)

"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. [http://www.fullers.co.nz/index.php/ps_pagename/devonport2 Destination History - Devonport] (from the Fullers Ferries website. Retrieved 2007-09-14.)]

The Kea was purpose-built in WhangareiFact|date=August 2007 for Fullers, and entered service in 1988 as the 14th ferry of the company. [ [http://wwwhttp://www.maritimenz.govt.nz/publications/accidents/AccidentSummaryMar06.pdf.fullers.co.nz/index.php/pi_pageid/74 Company History - Growth in services] (from the Fullers Ferries website)]

The Kea can carry approximately 400 passengers on her two passenger decks Fact|date=February 2007, 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. ["Maintenance programme nears completion" - "The Waiheke Week", 26 July 2007 Page 9]

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. [" [http://www.nzherald.co.nz/organisation/story.cfm?o_id=414&ObjectID=10119476 Ferry terminals offer tickets to ride] " - "New Zealand Herald", Saturday 09 April 2005]

In 2006, the Kea was involved in a minor collision at the Auckland Ferry Terminal with the moored Starflyte, due to steering failure.

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