October 23, 2021

Sea Eagle II departs Whangārei

In April this year, the world’s largest aluminium yacht arrived in the Whangārei Harbour. The triple 62.5m high mast Sea Eagle II has been moored at Port Nikau since finishing off her maiden voyage and sea trial all the way to New Zealand from the Netherlands.

Sea Eagle II’s arrival caused a touch of concern when its 62.5m high masts ventured past the Whangarei Airport runway, reaching more than 20m above ground level. The masts created a temporary obstacle for both departing and arriving aircraft, causing a five-minute delay to air traffic.

In late October a chorus of horns farewelled the Sea Eagle II departing from the Whangārei Harbour after a six-month refit based at Port Nikau’s superyacht berth.

The world’s largest aluminium yacht then headed up to the Bay of Islands to spend a few days in the outer bay before mooring at Opua to clear customs.

The 81m long, 12.5m wide vessel left Amsterdam last November on its maiden voyage. Tod Thompson, who also captained the owner’s previous yacht, Sea Eagle I, is from Whangārei Heads and was joined on the yacht by his wife and co-captain Maxwell Cumming from Russell, with a crew of 13.

We were delighted to receive this feedback below from the Sea Eagle II Co-Captain and Manager, Tod Thompson:

“SEA EAGLE II arrived in New Zealand and Port Nikau, Whangarei five months after setting sail from where it was built (Holland) and eight months after its Delivery to the Owner. It arrived still in its Warranty Period.

Port Nikau worked out very well as a refit Port for us with the variety of Marine Services necessary being available to work through the various teething issues and Warranty matters that surfaced during the voyage out to NZ. We found a high degree of competency and practicality in the various contractors that carried out the work. Engine work, engineering, hydraulics, air con, insulation, rigging, and fine woodwork were all carried out here. Agents for local services such as accommodation, temp crew, logistics also contributed.

Port Nikau itself was an excellent place for us – it has both a reasonable degree of privacy/security due both to the Port Nikau wharf arrangement and by being at the end of a road; while it is also close to the Marine sector of the city and to the central city itself. The Port Nikau Facility and Wharf we found to be very convenient, and a situation not readily found in other ports. We were alongside in a secure berth on a large wharf – large enough where we had two work containers at the end of the gangway, and large enough to have cranes attend to rigging work (booms, sails off), and to work on the booms alongside the vessel. Ample parking.

The Port Nikau Team looked after us well and ensured our berth had sufficient depth of water for the 6m draft. SEA EAGLE II’s other dimensions: 81m l.o.a. x 12.3m beam (x 62.5m air draft) were well catered for as well. Thanks Blair and Team. The Whangarei District has plenty of natural environment recreational activities enjoyed by the crew (surf beaches, hiking trails, dive spots, etc) as well as venues for after-work/evening hang-outs.

Auckland is ever closer with the new motorway (< 2 hrs away) for any specialist contractors and for crew to get away to for a weekend. The Bay of Islands is an hour north. In summary, Port Nikau and Whangarei was a successful refit port for SEA EAGLE II”.

Find more about Sea Eagle II’s visit to New Zealand here