MV Aratika

{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}} {{Infobox ship |section1={{Infobox ship/image |image=MV Aratika rail ferry post-1976-refit.jpg |image_caption=Aratika following her 1976 refit }}

|section2={{Infobox ship/career |hide_header= |name=MV ''Aratika'' |flag={{flagicon|NZL|size=60px}} |owner= |operator= |registry= |route=[[Wellington Harbour|Wellington]] - [[Picton, New Zealand|Picton]] |ordered= |builder=[[Chantiers Dubigeon]], [[Nantes]] |original_cost=[[New Zealand dollar|$NZ]] 8.8 million |yard_number=138 |way_number= |laid_down= |launched=8 November 1973 |completed= |christened= |acquired= |maiden_voyage= |in_service=1974 |out_of_service=1999 |identification={{IMO Number|7347835}} |fate=Sold to MBRS Lines as ''MV Virgin Mary'' in the [[Philippines]] in 1999. Scrapped in 2008 |notes= }}

|section3={{Infobox ship/characteristics |hide_header= |header_caption= |class=[[Roll-on/roll-off]], [[train ferry]] |tonnage={{GT|9035}} (prior to refit) |displacement=4,089 net tons (prior to refit) |length={{convert|127.7|m|ft|abbr=on}} |beam={{convert|18.7|m|ft|abbr=on}} |height= |draught= |draft={{convert|5.09|m|ft|abbr=on}} |depth= |decks= |deck_clearance= |ramps= |ice_class= |sail_plan= |power= |propulsion= 2 x [[SEMT Pielstick]] |speed= |capacity=840 passengers (originally 10), 70 cars (originally 4), rail wagons |crew= |notes= }} }}

'''MV ''Aratika''''' was a [[roll-on/roll-off]] [[train ferry]] that operated on the ''[[Interislander]]'' between [[Wellington Harbour|Wellington]] and [[Picton, New Zealand|Picton]] in New Zealand from 1974 until 1999.

Aratika is a [[Māori-language]] word meaning ''direct path''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://nzhistory.govt.nz/culture/maori-language-week/1000-maori-place-names|title=1000 Māori place names|publisher=[[Ministry for Culture & Heritage]]|date=6 August 2019}}</ref>

==History== ''Aratika'' was built by [[Chantiers Dubigeon]] in France for the [[New Zealand Railways Department]] to operate between [[Wellington Harbour|Wellington]] and [[Picton, New Zealand|Picton]].<ref>Fourth Ferry on Order ''[[Network (periodical)|Network]]'' June 1971 page 1</ref> She was built to carry rail freight only.<ref>New ferry to be rail only ''[[Rails (magazine)|Rails]]'' September 1973 page 14</ref> Launched in November 1973, the ship arrived in Wellington in June 1974.<ref>Fourth NZ rail ferry launched ''Network'' December 1973 page 1</ref><ref>Aratika launching ''Rails'' January 1974 page 15</ref><ref>Fourth ferry here ''Rails'' August 1974 page 11</ref>

In 1976 she was converted by [[Hongkong United Dockyards]] to carry passengers and private vehicles as well as [[railway wagon]]s.<ref>Down to the Sea in Trains ''Network'' March 1976 page 4</ref> This increased her weight by 800 tonnes, passenger capacity from 10 to 840, and the car space from four to 70.<ref>Rail Ferry to carry Passengers ''[[New Zealand Railway Observer]]'' issue 148 Summer 1976 pages 162/163</ref><ref>Rebuilt Aratika back in service ''Rails'' May 1977 page 15</ref>

During her 25 years of service, the vessel completed 27,265 crossings and traveled an overall distance of {{convert|1,400,000|mi|km}}.

In 1999, she was sold to MBRS Lines in the [[Philippines]] and served as MV ''Virgin Mary'' until 2008, when she was sold to Indian [[ship-breaker]]s.<ref>{{cite news|title=On the waterfront: Former ferry ready for last run|url= http://www.odt.co.nz/news/business/15119/on-waterfront-former-ferry-ready-last-run|publisher=[[Otago Daily Times]]|date=28 July 2008}}</ref>

==References== {{reflist}}

==External links== {{commons category-inline|Aratika (ship, 1974)}} *[http://www.nzmaritime.co.nz/aratika.htm Aratika] at New Zealand Maritime Record

{{DEFAULTSORT:Aratika}} [[Category:Cook Strait ferries]] [[Category:Ferries of the Philippines]] [[Category:Ships built by Chantiers Dubigeon]] [[Category:Train ferries]] [[Category:1973 ships]]