New river Wee-D whacker on the water
Mayor Nadine Taylor holding some of Wee-D's first official cutting, alongside Geoff Dick, Codie Paynter, Dave Fowler, Andy White, Mark Biddington and Shane Martin. Photo: William Woodworth.
Marlborough’s river weed should be afraid and its detractors should be pleased, as the brand-new, custom-built ‘Wee-D’ weed cutting boat was officially launched on Wednesday.
‘Wee-D’, the successor to the retiring 50-year-old ‘River Queen’, has been in the works between Marlborough District Council and Christchurch firm Martin Hydraulics since June 2021.
The new boat’s design has combined experiences learned by long-time captain Dave Fowler on Marlborough’s rivers, and Martin Hydraulics experience with the task in Canterbury.
Dave was the first official driver of the cutting boat whose name acknowledges his longtime service, while trainee Codie Paynter watched on.
“’Wee D’ would not have been possible without Dave’s vast experience operating the River Queen on our rivers, nor without his engineering wisdom and pragmatism”, says Mayor Nadine Taylor.
“It is Dave’s legacy, embodying all of this experience, love, and knowledge to be carried on by the new driver Codie, so it is only right that the name in some way reflects his years of dedication.
“What Dave boasts in dedication, experience, and knowledge, he lacks in physical stature; something past friends and colleagues would never let him forget; earning him the affectionate name of ‘Wee Dave’.
“It didn’t take Dave long to realise that an abbreviation to ‘Wee D’ not only cements his legacy but also offers up a fun and quirky name that speaks of the vessel’s function and Marlborough’s light-hearted and fun community spirit.”
Upon docking after his first official voyage on the Ōpaoa River, Dave said with a grin that “‘Wee-D’ was “500% better”.
“We need to acknowledge not only Murray Mills, Graham Patchett and Andrew Chandler for their efforts with the ‘River Queen’ and ‘Wee-D’, but also Council’s rivers team and Martin Hydraulics for not only allowing me to put my 10 cents worth into design and build but also acknowledge the sterling job they have done,” says Dave.
“I will no longer need to stand waist deep in water, leaning over the front of the boat pulling out floating weed, plastic bottles and other obstacles while standing in waders – it’s not been fun in the summer and even worse in the winter,” he added.