Marine Propulsion Ltd | info@marinepropulsion.co.nz | 09 217 1751 Diesel Mechanics • Propulsion Systems • Marine Systems • General Engineering Passionate about Propulsion Three years ago when Ben Jansen and Keith Watson both left their employment to establish their business Marine Propulsion Limited they got their irst big job through Orams Marine. One of Orams’ project managers spotted Ben picking up some bolts from an engineering supply shop next door and knew that the job he needed to be done, to refurbish the bow thruster from an 82 metre super yacht, was exactly the sort of work at which Ben and Keith excelled. Eight months ago Marine Propulsion moved into their brand new, fully equipped workshop in Orams Marine Village, part of the Yard’s ongoing expansion in Auckland’s Viaduct Harbour and a re lection of Ben‘s ongoing relationship with them which dates back to the early 2000’s and the time of his apprenticeship. As their name suggests Marine Propulsion works with the systems and machinery involved in moving a craft through water. They o er folding propeller servicing, variable pitch unit installation, rebuilds and servicing; replacement of shaft bearings, install and refurbishment of shaft seals; installations of rudders and steering systems; general servicing and preventative maintenance, rebuilding and installing of engines and generators; and general engineering and light fabrication, machining and welding. Both Ben and Keith had been working for a marine engineering and retail company when Ben realized there was a gap in the market for the sort of engineering that they both really enjoy. It’s what they’re good at and what they love to do, which is probably why they’re so good at it. “You could be pulling a bow thruster out of a 50 metre motor yacht one day, and the next day you could be working on a 45 metre yacht pulling their variable pitch propeller apart and pulling their drive line out. It’s really interesting, varied work and we’re passionate about it,” says Ben. The shorthand for what Marine Propulsion do is mechanical marine engineering, working only with that part of the boat which is underwater. They work on anything from 35 feet and up, and their clients include yachts of every size, motorboats, ferries and commercial vessels; doing anything to do with servicing, maintenance, re itting and installing. “We either ix things, or make them better, or ideally both,” says Ben. ‘We’ve both had years of training and experience pulling things apart and iguring out what’s wrong, and we’d rather make something better than just ix it and keep it going. Every job has its own challenges whether it’s a super yacht, a pleasure craft or a commercial ferry, and that’s what we love.” In the three years they’ve been going Marine Propulsion have expanded the team to have ive people on the tools plus one in charge of admin, and they’re currently on the lookout for more marine engineers. Having access to Orams’ facilities in the yard makes getting the boats in and out of the water straight forward, and their own fully equipped workshop has everything they need to get the job done, big or small. “It’s great to be part of the team of Orams, and to be growing along with them,” says Ben. “Everyone’s friendly and easy to get along with which makes it easy and enjoyable to do a good job.”
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