Some more information
Based on data & some images, from Daniel Michael’s input, on Facebook, with modifications & additions by Ken Ricketts. Other images ex Ken R. & Google – KEN R
Q406, is the last Fairmile (to D.M’s. knowledge) left in NZ.
She was used during WW2, as a N.Z. coastal patrol boat, & later used in the Solomons.
Once she and the other Fairmiles, returned back to Auckland, in 1945, they were decommissioned.
Q406 was offered as a tender, and purchased by Rodney Farry, who fitted 2 x Graymarine marinised, GM Detroit 6-71 diesel engines, and converted her into a passenger ship.
She operated around the Otago harbour, until she ran aground on a sandbar, causing Rodney to lose interest in the concept.
She was renamed New Venture in 1949, & sailed back to Auckland, under command of a temporary crew.
While sailing back, she struck a violent storm off the Castlecliff Coast, with the inexperienced sailors clinging near the coast.
In 1950, she was sold to Waiheke Shipping Co., & had her name changed to Motunui and was used as a passenger ferry, transporting people to & from Auckland to Waiheke, Great Barrier & Motuihi Islands.
When Waiheke shipping was sold to North Shore Ferries Ltd. Motunui would continue operating under them until 1984, when she was sold into private ownership.
Over the next 20 years she would switch ownership multiple times, one of these being to the late Ken Brown, an old friend of Ken R., who converted her to pleasure craft use, in the 1980s, & kept her at the bottom of his garden, on the water’s edge, in the Tamaki River, (Image attached).
There were plans in 1997 to have her brought to survey standards in time to be used as a sightseeing boat, for the America’s Cup.
This was abandoned, when relations between the joint owners, (& several suppliers) soured. Even though much work was done by then (including fitting an original wheelhouse taken from Fairmile Kahu).
She was sold again in 2001, and 2006, when she took one final voyage to Tauranga, so her machinery could be removed, along with her superstructure.
Her final owner was Barry Woods, who operated Woodlyn Park Motel, at Waitomo.
Motunui was hauled onto land, and converted into a motel, now advertised as the “Waitanic.”
As Q411, (Kahu), was scrapped last year, she seems to be the last Fairmile left in New Zealand, built during WWII., according to Daniel M. – KEN R
