Fleetwood Trawler - M.V. Boston Seafire - FD109
Official Number: 187847
Built by: Henry Scarr Ltd. Hessle
Yard Number: S736
Gross Tonnage: 314
Length: 127 ft
Breadth: 26′ 8” ft
Draught: 12′ 3” ft
Engine: 2 stroke 5-cyl Polar diesel (740bhp) by British Polar Engines Ltd, Glasgow
Owner: Brixham Trawlers Ltd
History
1956: Launched as BUZZARD for Brixham Trawlers Ltd (FD109).
August 01 1959: Sold along with the company to Boston Deep Sea Fisheries Ltd, Fleetwood (Arthur J. Lewis, manager).
1961: Renamed Boston Seafire.
1969: Sold to New Zealand as NEPTUNE.
1974: Sold to Sealord Products Ltd, Nelson,NZ. Renamed Seafire registered at Nelson.
199? 199?: Sold to Duesouth Trawlers (NZ) Ltd, Nelson, NZ. Still in LR 2005-6.
1999: She is now known as the Seafire and has been converted to stern fishing with the mounting of a net roller and net drum at the stern. She is equipped with the latest electronics but her engines and main winch are still standard.
March 2008: Tied up at Miramar Wharf, Wellington waiting to be scuttled.
October 19 2008: Sunk by scutteling on the 19th October 2008 near Whale Island, Whakatane. New Zealand and will be used as a dive wreck.
Images
M. V. Boston Seafire FD109 - Picture courtesy of Brian Dodd
Seafire on the slipway at Nelson - Picture courtesy of Emmanuel Makarios, shipsnostalgia.com
Seafire tied up at Miramar 20/03/08
Seafire tied up at Miramar 20/03/08
Image courstesy of Phil and Steph van Dusschoten, Diveworks Charters, www.whaleislandtours.com
This is a underwater photo of the Seafire's bridge after being scuttled. Picture courtesy of Chris Giblin and Kane McElrea
For more images of the Boston Seafire FD109 click here.
Posted under Fleetwood Trawlers
This post was written by Alan Duggan on September 18, 2008
The Boston Seafire was sunk by scutteling on the 19th October 2008 near Whale Island, Whakatane. New Zealand and will be used as a dive wreck
Thanks Phil i have updated the entry.
Its a shame to see another trawler go. But atleast she will be giving divers enjoyment for many years to come.
Hi guys, name is chris and i am involved in ecological monotoring of the vessel. It was wonderful to be able to dive and see it resting on the sea floor. Within a week of it on the floor, fish species in numbers have already been recorded inside my surveys.
Amazing dive and wicked time working with the crew getting it ready for scluttling
Hello Chris, although its a shame she was scuttled i like the idea she is being used for something instead of just being scrapped and forgotten.
Would there be any chance you have any pictures of your dives ? If so would it possible for you to share them with us ?
Again thanks for the report, please feel free to keep us updated.
Alan Duggan
yes Alan that is possible and yes i have underwater photos 2o min after she went down as i was used to hook up the descent lines to it, if you email me on chris_goblin@hotmail.com i can email you a set of photos that i have collected and i will also be monotoring it ever two weeks for the next year so photos will be available.
I no it is a shame ships end up on the floor but it i would much rather them be used as dive wrecks for us dive communtiy to enjoy rather than being sunk 1.5km off cape pallicer.
Hello again Chris, i will send a email to you very shortly.
Im actually quite jealous of you, your job sounds very interesting. Is every dive different or does it become second nature ?
Also whats it like diving the wreck ? I have never dived before so i have no idea what it would feel like doing this.
Thanks in advance for any images you send.
Yes no problem, yes i do have a sweet job, well not really a job yet still in study but it is still a wicked adventure.
Yes every dive is different especially at this stage as growth is still developing. As my progress changes i will keep you informed i also do intense study on the Taioma wreck situated further up the coast as well.
Thanks for the images Chris, Please do keep us updated on the wreck.
Taioma? What type of ship was she.
Hey Alan, I’ve been working a bit with Chris too, as I’m involved with the Trust that sunk the Seafire. I also dived on her just after Chris on the day of the sinking. It was amazing. It was a great sight to see her take a dive to the seafloor. We all look forward to watching her attract marine life. The company I work for will be taking divers out there to dive on her this Summer. I’ll send some pics if I get any good ones.
Hello Louise, i look forward to recieving some images. Any updates are greatly welcomed.
Alan Duggan