Te Kaihōpara

The Te Kaihōpara research vessel is led by the University of Auckland’s Institute of Marine Science.

The University’s flagship vessel is a highly capable platform that supports a wide range of marine research that spans climate change, conservation and restoration, seabird and marine mammals, rocky reef ecology, microplastics, underwater sound, seafloor ecology, oceanography, aquaculture and much more.

Vessel Specifications

Built by Q-West, launched April 2022
15.9m LOA aluminium catamaran
1.5m draft
5.6m beam
Engines: 2 x 470 HP (353 kW) Cummins 7 L diesel
(353 kW) Cummins 7 L diesel Speed: cruising 16-18 knots (approx. 120 L fuel/hour), sprint 22 knots·
Generator: 18.7 vA, 230V, 50Hz single phase diesel
Batteries: 400 amp/hour lithium house battery bank, 2 kW inverter, solar backup
Freshwater: 400 L water holding plus water maker
Full safety equipment
- life raft, epirb, life vests, life rings, firefighting hose
Medical equipment
- AED, O2 (continuous and D-cylinders), offshore first aid kit
Navigation equipment
- 2 x 16 inch multi-Furuno displays for radar, AIS, depth sounder, chart plotter etc.
  - twin transducers (48-200 kHz, multibeam) chart plotter, autopilot
- 1 x PC display for Zero Nav software with bathymetry mode
  - autopilot, with satellite compass for accurate positioning

Operating Limits

Surveyed for Restricted Coastal Limits for the North Island including Manawatāwhi/Three Kings Islands and the South Island from Grey River on the West Coast to Kaikoura on the East Coast (please inquire for Certificate of Survey/more details)
Day trips: Supports 23 + 2 crew, to inshore limits
Liveaboard trips: Supports 6 + 2 crew, restricted coastal limits

Science/Work Equipment on board

Hydraulic winch
- Rope drum 250 m of 12 mm braid, 300 kg SWL
- Capstan, 150 kg SWL
A-frame: 300 kg SWL
Pot hauler: Whizz wheel, 150 kg SWL
Crane: SWL 270 kg at 4 m
Tender: 3.4 m RIB with 15 Hp 4-stroke outboard
Dive compressor: Coltri MCH 16
Dive stations: setup for 6 divers
- Storage under each station for 70-100 L bin
- can be removed if deck space required
- can convert to wet spaces with tabletops over stations
Outside Science Fridge/Freezer: 1 x 70 L fish bin capacity
Dry workstation inside main cabin (240 V power outlets)
Semi-dry workstation outside main cabin (240 V power outlets)
- Storage underneath (e.g. can store liquid nitrogen dewar)
Digital screens: 2 x 42 inch flat screens HDMI input (one viewable from aft deck)
Sorting table with hose (e.g. for processing sediment cores)
Full galley
- Fridge/freezer
- Gas hobs, electric oven
- Microwave, toaster, electric kettle
Saloon table (able to be a workspace with 240 V and USB ports)
Separate toilet and shower
Clothes drier (e.g. for diving drysuit undergarments)
Air conditioning in bridge and main cabin (on generator only)