80 | Marine Services NZ T T Kelly Deeks Surging forward in marine construction With two purpose-built vessels, Soundz Image and Soul Commitment, MSNZ operates from Stewart Island to Northland, and occasionally across to Australia. CONTRACTING From the pristine waters of Fiordland to the mussel farms of Northland, family-owned and operated Marine Services NZ (MSNZ) is making waves in the country’s marine industry, combining innovation, resilience, and logistical expertise to deliver complex projects in some of Aotearoa’s most remote environments. Based in Picton, and co-owned by the McLean, Kibblewhite, and Day families, MSNZ has evolved from a 25-year legacy business into a nimble, fast-growing operation servicing the country’s marine farming, tourism, and infrastructure sectors. Since its inception in 2018, the company has more than doubled in size, adding new vessels, and expanding its specialist capabilities. “We’ve really focused on flexibility and being solution providers,” says director and general manager Richard McLean. “Whether it’s jetties, moorings, screw anchors, diving, or barging, if it’s marine construction above or below the water, we do it.” Recent projects have taken MSNZ into the heart of Fiordland’s wilderness areas to install massive deep-water moorings and floating jetties at iconic sites like Deep Water Basin, Harrison Cove, and Helena Falls for RealNZ. In Lowry Bay, the team has completed a 60-metre floating jetty, and in Akaroa they assisted in the underwater installation of a 40-metre jetty, serving as a vital access point during wharf redevelopment. “These jobs are big, and most of them are remote, so they demand logistical precision and adaptability,” Richard says. “You’re flying gear in, working around weather windows, and often negotiating with the marine guardians.” One such negotiation led to the development of a new, non-disturbance mooring system for Fiordland after concerns were raised about the seabed footprint of existing designs. The updated mooring features a fivemetre-square base anchored with four seabed screws, reducing disturbance, but increasing the swing radius, something skippers need to account for when navigating busy bays. “It’s not our preferred non-disturbance design, but it keeps everyone happy. Plus, we’re service providers. We do what the customer wants,” says Richard. MSNZ continues to innovate in aquaculture anchoring, including new mussel spat-catching systems for Maui Inc in Northland, and an upcoming installation for Muriwhenua Spat Company. These are designed to easily and sustainably collect mussel spat without the traditional method of dragging seaweed from beaches with tractors. As MSNZ grows, so too does the team. Training and upskilling are ongoing priorities, to ensure all roles are covered with the necessary qualifications, with staff trained from within. Many staff members represent the next generation of marine professionals, working across operations, diving, logistics, and admin. With two purpose-built vessels, Soundz Image and Soul Commitment, MSNZ operates from Stewart Island to Northland, and occasionally across to Australia. These vessels are equipped with GNSS positioning and heavy lifting gear and are purpose-designed for lifting and placing anchors, performing underwater construction, and recovering up to 20 tonnes from the seabed. And yes, there’s the odd shark. Broadnose seven-gill sharks are a common encounter for MSNZ divers. “At least we’re not in Australia with the stinging jellyfish and sea snakes,” Richard says. With complex projects, long-term relationships, and a steady hand at the helm, Marine Services NZ is charting a strong course forward in one of the country’s most diverse industries. • Customer rst service • On site servicing & repair of all heavy equipment • Breakdown Service • Scheduled maintenance • Hydraulics • Diagnostics • Air conditioning • Marine propulsion • Engineering • Component rebuild service • Truck servicing • Equipment safety compliance inspections • Electrical • Mobile crane servicing and repairs • Car / Ute servicing and repair • General wizardry On Site Mechanical Repairs Do it once. Do it right. 03 577 7309 • 121 Mahers Road, Kaituna, Blenheim admin@onsitemechanical.co.nz • www.onsitemechanical.co.nz Proudly supporting Marine Services NZ with cost effective repair solutions. Proud to support WMS with Insurance & Risk Advisory New Zealand’s le ding independent insurance and risk advisory New Zealand’s leading insurance broker is now HERE to help. For more information call Willy Horvath M: 027 455 5848 E: william.horvath@icib.co.nz We’re pleased to have arrived in the Hawkes Bay, helping our local businesses get all the protection and insurance advice they need. ic Proud to support WMS with Insurance & Risk Advisory New Zealand’s leading independent insurance and risk dvisory New Zealand’s leading insurance broker is now HERE to help. For more information call Willy Horvath M: 027 455 5848 E: william.horvath@icib.co.nz We’re pleased to have arrived in the Hawkes Bay, helping our local businesses get all the protection and insurance advic th y n ed. icib.co.nz Proud to support Marine Services NZ with In urance & Risk Advisory • Commercial Diving • Crayfish & Blue Cod Pots • Farm Gates • Security Fencing • General & Marine Engineering Phone: 03 212 8964 Mobile: 027 435 3524 | osborneng@xtra.co.nz | 221 Foreshore Road, Bluff 9814 | www.osborneng.co.nz GREY RUSSELL Company Director
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