Whakatohea to get customised boat and whanau trainees

©Whakatohea

Internationally-renowned New Zealand boat builder McMullen and Wing has agreed to take on six Whakatohea trainees as part of a deal to build a customised vessel for Whakatohea Maori Trust Board’s mussel farming business.

Chief executive Michael Eaglen says it will give the trainees a career pathway in a growing industry where skill shortages are prevalent.

Whakatohea Mussels chief executive Peter Vitasovich says employment options are limited for young people in Opotoki, and the company and tribe are thrilled McMullen & Wing have the vision to use the project to create extra training.

The new vessel will include a special high-stability design, specific to the rough open ocean operating conditions of the Opotiki mussel farm; comfortable interior conditions for farm workers; and a range of eco-focused features to minimise environmental impact and maximise end product quality.

It’s expected to launch in September 2018.
 

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