Straitsman at Wellington, 28.12.2002, taken through the hurricane-wire fence. Laid up at the time.
Straitsman
Built: 1972 North Queensland Engineers and Agents Pty, Cairns.
Tonnage: 727gt
Owners: Straits Shipping Co
1972: Built for R.N.Houfe and Co, Launceston, Tasmania, for the Bass Strait trade, primarily as a livestock carrier, but capable of carrying general cargo as well. Owners declared bankrupt shortly after entering service. Sold to Tasmanian Transport Commission late 1972.
1974: Capsized on March 23 in Yarra River, Melbourne, inward from King Island with a cargo of 2,000 sheep--two lives lost. Raised April 1974 and re-entered service in 1975 after extensive refit.
1991: Sold to L.D.Marine and Ship Repairs Launceston
1991: Chartered by Strait Shipping Co, Picton, to carry livestock across Cook Strait. Straitsman became the first ship on the NZ coast to operate under the provisions of the Employment Contracts Act, which enables a vessel to operate with a non-union crew.
1994: Straits Shipping Co purchased Straitsman in June 1994, carrying mainly cargoes of livestock, Wellington-Picton-Nelson.
2002: Laid up at Wellington
2004: Sold to Fijiian interests, r/n Sinu-I-Wasa
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