Alex Grimes' ship Awanui, after his return to NZ

One of Alex Grimes' ships, Awanui, after his return to NZ

Awanui details

Built: 1962 Hong Kong, cargo ship for Northern Steam Ship Co.

Registered: Auckland

LR No: 5401314

Gross tonnage: 1185 Net tonnage: 534

Length: 72.04m Width: 11.33m

Engines: single 1200 hp De Industrie diesel

Foundered off southern Tein Gang Province, Vietnam January 2007

Despite being launched in February 1962, the Awanui didn't arrive in Auckland on her delivery voyage until 25 January 1963, the delay arising from fit-out issues. Her arrival at Onehunga in 1964 made her the biggest general cargo vessel to visit the port for over forty years - since the days of Union Steam Ship Company vessel calls concluded in September 1924.

She traded from both Auckland and Onehunga to South Island ports, including the carriage of shipping construction machinery, materials and supplies to Deep Cove in Doubtful Sound, for use in the construction of the West Arm (Lake Manapouri) Power Station and tail-race tunnel. This was the biggest coastal shipping contract ever let in New Zealand, and involved three other Northern Steam Ship Company vessels.