PeeJay IV

PeeJay IV is a 60 foot luxury launch purpose built for the tours to White Island.  This vessel has a cruising speed of 20 knots, thanks to twin 600hp Scania engines.

Twin engines make maneuverability a safer option in the Whakatane river and harbour entrance.  PeeJay IV is surveyed for 52 people and comes equipped with all the latest navigational aids.

Spacious seating on the flybridge means great viewing for up to 20 passengers.  The rest of the passengers have a choice of leather seating in the cabin or chairs on the deck.

The 4.5 metre inflatable powered by a 40 hp Mercury outboard motor is required to ferry passengers to the island from PeeJay IV and has its own garage at the rear of the vessel.

 

PeeJay V

PeeJay V is a 73 foot luxury launch, purpose built for the tours to White Island.  The vessel has a cruising speed of 19 knots, thanks to twin 750hp Scania motors.  The latest in Nav Net navigation equipment has been used and at any time this information can be relayed through the vessel for passenger viewing with three flat screen monitors.

The exterior of the boat is a unique colour called Champagne Glow.  The interior of the vessel is finished in leather and rimu and there is also seating outdoors.  PeeJay V is equipped with two full flushing household toilets.  With large windows and plenty of seating, passengers are able to have wonderful viewing no matter where they are. 

There is a custom built 5.2 metre inflatable, powered by a 60hp Yamaha outboard, to ferry passengers from PeeJay V over to the concrete wharf at White Island.  When not in use “Black Zac” is stored in its own garage at the rear of the vessel.

In Safe Hands!

As the local surveyor for Survey Nelson Ltd I have been involved with White Island Tours staff and Peter and Jenny Tait  for approximately 8 years as their vessel surveyor and vessel system’s auditor for the vessels  PJ IV and PJ V. The Taits’ business would be one of the (most) professionally run operations I have been involved with and certainly the best in their type of operation that I deal with. The vessels are very well built and kept in “as new” condition. I have been a passenger on PJ IV to White Island, the staff on the day were unaware that I was the surveyor and all the procedures that are written in the Ship’s manual were carried out as they should have been, such as safety instructions, voyage briefing etc. This does not always happen on a lot of other vessels. I have also stayed in their motel which was excellent. As surveyors we must rate the owner on the vessel condition and Safe Ship Management manuals and procedures. These vessels rate at the top in each category. Someone in a senior position said to me once that it was very unusual for a charter business to be given this rating. My reply to them was if you can find anything wrong, be my guest.”

Alistair Coleman
Surveyor
Survey Nelson Ltd

SEA THREE

Sea Three is a 12 metre Protector rigid hull inflatable boat.  It is powered by two x 250 horse power Yamaha four-stroke outboard engines. Top speed is 50 km/hr and cruising speed on open water is approximately 30 km/hr.