Dockland 5 – The story of a shipyard on the other side of the world

The sun has just risen and the level of the Hatea River has almost reached the high water mark. Europe is still asleep and New York is getting ready for work. But here, in New Zealand, where time begins, there is already pure action. It is early morning because the tides dominate the operation. The forklift, heavily loaded with shipyard equipment, wooden blocks, supports and pallets are on there way to the next hardstand. The new manager, Boss John Peagram and Big-John, who are always prudent travel lift operators, are preparing to lift out a larger motor vessel. The travel lift, heavy lift-belts and shackles are carefully inspected before is going down to business.

Nothing is left to chance in this not always uncritical business. The tide has to be right, the currents of the river and often also the wind which blows in the Hatea Valley, but mostly weaker than in the country. The Dockland 5 shipyard is surely one of the best on the river. A short time later, the heavy vessel is hanging over the washing area and is been cleaned by the water jet. The offwash is collected, separated and disposed of, but this is handled by shipyard and does not need to burden the respective captains or owners.

After 30 minutes to approx. 2 hours depending on the size of the vessel and the amount of cleaning required, the ship stands at its stand and shipowners work can commence. Whether DIY or contractors is left to the ship owner’s decision. If you need advice, you are in the right hands with Boss John and Big John. In administrative matters, postal matters and the local business environment. Natasha in here office likes to advice.

Many improvements and future plans are on the to-do list and there is a healthy optimism prevailing. Finally, the Steve & Bev Bowling Group is behind Dockland 5 and that’s a good thing. Bev and Steve are longtime entrepreneurs and are real go-getters as in the book. Their group works from the South Seas to the Antarctic. So it’s good reason to believe in a good future for Dockland 5.

That was not always so! Years of sales efforts and the associated future uncertainties had brought down the yard down to the bones. The management was deprived of the ground under their feet day after day, on which a healthy company should stand. In May 2019 the sale and thus the takeover finally took place. From one day to the other, the customers came back. From now on emails and phone calls where answered and appointments been kept. A completely new and heart freshening feeling.

Today, the main focus targets the worldwide sailing scene, fishing, pilot boats, rescue boats, work pontoons, tug boats, dive- and specialty-vessels and local boats from small dinghies to mega-yacht, the storage of vessels, transfers from land to water or on to trucks and vice versa.

In the yard itself and in the nearby environment there is a wide range of service companies for shore site assistance. That makes Dockland 5 a hotspot in the entire NZ Northland region if not even the South-West Pacific.

Finally, a little bit about the history of Dockland 5: The shipyard was founded in the last century by Dave Culham (Culham Engineering). Later it was sold to Jack and Mary Maclardy, who had it operated by a manager for a little over 20 years. Jack and Mary sold Dockland 5 because they wanted to retired and travel, spending more time with their family. One of the many highlights in the shipyard history was the construction of the 22.8m yacht “Isabel of Newport” by the then United States Secretary of State John Forbes Kerry and many other yachts of the former Friendship era.

Today, in 2019, it is fair to say:
“The dockyard shipyard Dockland 5, for generations support for world circumnavigators from all over the world, has awakened to a new life ”

How to reach Dockland 5:
Boss John Peagram
Email: john@dockland5.co.nz
Mobil: 0064 (0) 274 930 812
Phone 0064 (0) 9438 8558

Office:
Admin Natasha Bowling
Email: support@dockland5.co.nz
Phone 0064 (0) 9438 8558

By Mail:
Dockland 5 Marine Limited
211 Lower Port Road
Postbox 11031
Whangarei / New Zealand

Website of Dockland 5: https://www.dockland5.co.nz/
English Site http://www.atlantis-sail.de/Maritim/Technische_Berichte/Dockland-5_Shipyard_2019-english.htm
German Site: http://www.atlantis-sail.de/Maritim/Reiseberichte/Shipyard-Dockland-5-Whangarei-NZ-2019.htm
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Email: Mailbox@Atlantis-Sail.de