UNION ROTOITI

[aukepalmhof]

There is some confusion under the ship stamp collectors which vessel is depict, the UNION ROTOITI or the UNION ROTORUA, I have a maxi-card of the stamp, and the maxi card is signed by the master of the UNION ROTOITI Capt. Chris Morris. The New Zealand sources give that the UNION ROTOITI is depict.

Built as a ro-ro cargo vessel under yard No 61 by Whyalla Shipbuilding and Engine Works, Whyalla, Australia for the Union Steamship Company, New Zealand.
19 September 1975 keel laid down.
12 November 1976 launched under the name UNION ROTOITI., one sister the UNION ROTORUA.
Tonnage 12.858 gross, 4.562 net, 11.830dwt., dim. 203.23 x 26.29 x 16.13m, draught 9.52m.
Powered by two Thomassen Holland BV gas turbines, 20.739 kW., twin screws, speed 19 knots.
Crew 32.
22 June 1977 completed.

Used in the Trans-Tasman service between Auckland and Sydney/Melbourne.
1985/86 Her gas turbines removed and replaced by two Wartsila-Wasa diesel engines, the work was undertaken in December 1985 by G.H. Varley Ltd., Newcastle N.S.W. Speed 19 knots.
1999 Sold to Anzdi Ltd. Bermuda, renamed ROTOITI.
1905 Sold to CP Ships Uk. Ltd. (Hapag-Lloyd AG) and renamed CP ROTOITI, managed by Anglo-Eastern Ships Management Ltd. Hong Kong.
February 2006 renamed in ROTOITI again.
Her tonnage is now given as 22.228 gross, 6.668 net, 20.270 dwt.
Mid-July 2006 was announced by the owners that she will withdraw the ro-ro vessel ROTOITI from the Tasman service in the end of 2006.
http://www.equasis.org gives for 2006, same owners and managers, under Bermuda flag. IMO No. 7366233.
She is the last Trans-Tasman vessel crewed with a New Zealand crew.

18 November 2006 arrived for the last time in Auckland, and sailed from there on the 19th for Sydney and Melbourne where she discharged her last trans-Tasman cargo on 26 November.
2006 Sold to Arab owners and renamed GULF STRAIT.
02 December 2006 sailed from Melbourne, ostensibly to Bahrein for drydocking and future work.
Halfway to Dubai, she was sold again but now to a scrapyard owner in Chittagong, renamed in ULF.
25 December 2006 she arrived on Chittagong Roads and beached on 5 January 2007 at 03.00 a.m.

New Zealand 1989 $1.50 sg1529, scott?

Sources: Marine News. New Zealand Ships Illustrated 1988-89 by Iain G.B.Lovie.
http://www.miramarshipindex.org.nz New Zealand Marine News Vol. 54 page 186.