Port of Tauranga's new pilot boat, Arataki, is blessed following her naming ceremony held early Tuesday in a cross cultural ceremony.

Kaumatua Kihi Ngatai performs the karakia.

Kihi Ngatai performed the karakia and Maria Ngatai cut the ribbon to break the bottle over the bow.

She's bigger, faster, and much quieter than the previous pilot vessel Tauranga II.

'An area that we really wanted to improve on was to try and establish the lowest practical noise levels at all speeds,” says Port of Tauranga chief executive Mark Cairns.

Her builders, Whanganui-based Q West, say Arataki is quieter by more than 10 decibels at comparable service speeds.

'I am certain that our own staff will find this vessel a better working environment, but equally as importantly we hope the residents who adjoin our harbour will find Arataki a much more acceptable proposition during their sleeping hours.”

The project is an illustration of how the Port of Tauranga conducts its business, says Mark.

Port operations manager Nigel Drake set up a project team representing the staff who will have to live with the design for the next 20 years or so to develop the specification, select the designer/ builder and manage the project from the port company side.

Arataki is designed by Bakewell White Yacht Design, built in Whanganui by Q West boats, which also built Tauranga II.

The Arataki, which means ‘to guide – to lead' is painted ‘bile yellow' for safety reasons, says Mark.

'She is painted this colour to highlight how important safety is to us at the port.

Maria Ngatai cuts the ribbon, watched by Mark Cairns left and builder Miles Fothergill.

'We want Arataki to be highly visible, both to the ships approaching the port, and also to the huge number of small recreational boats that we share our harbour with.”

Arataki took two years to design and build and cost $2 million.

She is powered by twin Scania V8 diesels driving fixed pitch propellors delivering a service speed of 25 knots.

Bay Marine Electronics provided the Garmin navigation suite in conjunction with Innovations in Motion who provided the steering gear.

Arataki is 16.5 metres long, and weighs about 20 tonnes.

Arataki is a planned replacement for the existing pilot boat Tauranga II, which is one of the first purpose-built high speed pilot boats in the country. It is now 25 years old, and was built at the same Castlecliff yard.