Tuesday, 12 November 2019

River Queen launched

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    By David Hill
    1. Canterbury
    2. Districts
    3. North Canterbury

    The Kaiapoi River Queen was finally launched at the Kaiapoi River on Monday by crew from Smith...
    The Kaiapoi River Queen was finally launched at the Kaiapoi River on Monday by crew from Smith Crane & Construction Ltd.
    Operating the Kaiapoi River Queen is an exciting new venture for a Marlborough couple.

    Judith and Dennis Andreassend, who operate a resort on D'Urville Island in the Marlborough Sounds, were in Kaiapoi this week to witness its much-anticipated launch.

    The boat was transported to Kaiapoi last year by a consortium of five local business people, including developer Jedd Pearce.

    The Andreassends will lease the boat and plan to move to North Canterbury.

    "We got to meet Jedd and he asked if we would be interested in operating it and we decided this would be a really good venture,'' Mrs Andreassend says.

    Operators Judith Andreassend (left) and her husband Dennis (second right), Wayne Anderson, who...
    Operators Judith Andreassend (left) and her husband Dennis (second right), Wayne Anderson, who repainted the boat, developer Jedd Pearce and Waimakariri Deputy Mayor Neville Atkinson were thilled to see the Kaiapoi River Queen being launched.
    She says there is still work to do, including fitting out the boat, but the race is on to have it ready in time for the Christmas office-party rush.

    "We've got to get it ready and do a few test runs before the end of November, as we have several Christmas functions already booked in.''

    The Kaiapoi River Queen being attended to by crew from Smith Crane and Construction Ltd.
    The Kaiapoi River Queen being attended to by crew from Smith Crane and Construction Ltd.
    She says they will be employing a skipper and casual staff to operate the boat, which can carry up to 99 people. Its restaurant will comfortably cater for around 50 to 60 people.

    The Kaiapoi River Queen's berth will be on the new marina, outside the Port & Eagle Brewpub.

    Thanks to the efforts of the Waimakariri District Council in dredging the Kaiapoi river, the Kaiapoi River Queen will be able to operate at low tide.

    Mayor Dan Gordon said: "I would love to get on board. I'm hoping we can get a council function booked on it before the end of the year to show our support.''