The Oamaru-based Triton was the first vessel to be slipped using the new steel cradle. The boat comes in just under the new 20-tonne limit so this was the first time the boat had been ever slipped in her home town.
The 5-tonne metal cradle was installed in the middle of last month.
The cradle cost $60,000 to make, with the total cost for the project set at $105,000. It was created by Ireland Engineering Solutions in Oamaru.
The previous cradle was about 60 years old and made from timber. It had a maximum loading weight of 12 tonnes. It had reached the end of its working life.
The new cradle is made from steel and coated in a special paint commonly used for underwater pipelines, which protects against salt water corrosion.
Fees for usage will be adjusted to cover the cost of the new cradle.
