JUNE 2013
STAFF NEWS With CEO Douglas Hudson overseas at the moment, we thought it was timely to catch-up with Asset Manager, Bob Makin, to give us an overview of the winter ‘survey season’ . Bob is fortunate to head up a team of well qualified, highly experienced and dedicated maintenance staff who look after our fleet. During winter months vessels are taken out of service for repairs and out-of-the-water annual surveying in accordance with our computer-based scheduled maintenance software.The computer programme signals preventive maintenance when various equipment is in need of inspection and reconditioning or replacement due to normal service and wear. An independent inspector conducts a detailed inspection - similar to your cars warrant of fitness - only quite a bit more involved!
With the help of our scheduling programme the number of breakdowns has reduced and the overall reliability of the fleet has increased.
This year, we replaced a very large and expensive engine in Superflyte while she was on the slipway in Whangarei. The new engine was supplied from overseas in basic form and completed in our workshops by our skillful staff before being sent to an engine testing facility in south Auckland. After successful testing, it was road transported to Whangarei and installed in the vessel. Maintenance staff travelled to Whangarei to remove the old engine and install the new. We also have an on-going seat recovering programme and have tested a new type of high- wear resistant carpet and this will progressively be installed across the entire fleet. High efficiency LED type lighting is now replacing current light bulbs across the fleet. A newly- tested deck paint coating has been developed by our supplier, providing a non-skid surface that is both easy to clean and long lasting. We are supported by a network of contractors who provide various services to us when we require assistance or an additional pair of hands. This network of contractors has been built up over the years and includes personnel who understand our business and the urgency that we sometimes need to respond with.
Bob Makin
The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects it to change; the realist adjusts the sails.
STAFF OFFER FROM THE STAMFORD PLAZA! Surprise someone special with a night in the city staying at the Stamford Plaza Open to all Fullers & 360 Discovery staff:
$149 incl GST / PER NIGHT
in one of the Superior Rooms including two full buffet breakfasts in the Knights On Albert restaurant. Valid until 8 July 2013. Terms & conditions apply. See overleaf.
William Arthur
Marketing Exec Steph has worked a little magic to bring staff a very special offer in the next issue of Radar!
A huge thank you... Mercy Ships, the international hospital ship charity, is deeply grateful to Fullers for the donation of the charter aboard Quick Cat on Saturday May 18. 262 people attended the event and the huge amount of feedback was overwhelmingly positive. Thanks to ticket sales, silent auctions and donations on the night raising more than $15,000 providing for people in poverty 22 major surgeries like massive tumour removal or obstetric fistula surgery. Particular thanks to Melanie Fox, Elaine Kellett, and Jen Neilson as well as the Quick Cat crew for going ‘over and above’ to make this event a smooth-running and fabulous experience for all who attended. The greatest, unheard thanks comes from the true beneficiaries of this event – the poorest of the poor whose lives are about to be changed. Mercy Ships operates the 16,000 tonne Africa Mercy; a world-class hospital ship with six operating theatres and three wards, crewed by 450 international personnel. The faith-based charity provides free surgical and health care services to the poorest people in a different West or Central Africa nation each year at the invitation of the location government. Last year alone, Mercy Ships provided more than 28,000 free medical and dental procedures.
STAMFORD PLAZA STAFF OFFER DETAILS
The following Terms & Conditions apply: · Bookings subject to availability · Bookings valid until the 8th of July 2013 only · Maximum occupants in a room is 3 · Extra person can be added at the cost of $75 incl GST (includes bed and breakfast for the extra person) · Overnight valet parking can be added at an additional $15 incl GST per car · Fullers / 360 staff identity card/position and contact details must be shown upon check-in to get this special rate.
Megan Price, was fortunate to be given the opportunity to attend the event on behalf of Fullers and said it was a great evening and with a genuine caring attitude among the guests. “They were there to help make a difference. This was more than a cocktail evening on board a boat” said Megan, “ and it was great to hear first-hand from the Mercy staff all about heir special work.” Kiwi kai to celebrate our newest Kiwi couple! Charina (Accounts Payable) and Chris Tabago (IT) were surprised - and delighted - when colleagues either baked or bought Kiwi favourites for morning tea to acknowledge their recent NZ Citizenship. Kapai!
Westpac to the rescue! Some staff may be aware of our connection with the Westpac Rescue Helicopter service over the past 2 years. We have supplied Starflyte all day on a Sunday in January to take guests from Auckland and Matiatia to Man-o-War Bay where a lunch and fundraising auction is held to raise money for the Trust. Many crew have experienced the rescue service first-hand through a number of situations in the past; airlifting ill passengers from our ferries or coming to the aid of stricken craft in the Hauraki Gulf. John Hooper, Westpac Rescue’s Marketing and Fundraising Manager, came to us recently with a way of acknowledging our contribution to their fundraising efforts. We are delighted to present an opportunity of a lifetime to a number of Fullers and 360 staff with a Westpac Rescue Helicopter Prize draw Offer! This offer will run over the next couple of issues of Radar. Details of this months prize draw:
exclusive to Fullers & 360 staff: 2 x sessions on the fully certified helicopter simulator on site at Mechanics Bay. 4 x berths on board the helicopter to be timed when we conduct ‘ Emergency Response Training’. A great opportunity to get a birds-eye view of the action! To enter email competitions@fullers.co.nz (subject line: Westpac) and leave your name and contact details - prizes will be drawn before 15 July. If you miss out we’re repeating the draw again in the next issue of Radar!
No angry birds on this beautiful island! If you’ve never been to Tiritiri Island then let James (Jimbo) Bailey, 360 Manager, know and he’ll make sure you take a trip there. It’s important staff of Fullers also experience these island treasures, as tourists see us all as walking ‘Hauraki Gulf experts’. Here’s some feedback from some happy visitors: Beverley: My second time on the island and it feels like I’ve never been on the island before.You get real close up to nature and also birds. I recommend this tour to anyone ... An awesome way to take close up photos with birds especially the kakariki bird and the lookout. Matilde: The guides are very knowledgeable and friendly...beautiful spots on the island for amazing pictures and the beaches are a dream. It's a real NZ gem and worth the visit any time of the year. On our way back we spotted a sleepy morepork!
Sales Manager Brett ‘the fly’ Warman is seen here just prior to his life changing ‘zip’ through native bush on Waiheke with the guys from EcoZip. From left Brett, Gavin Oliver and Mark Kerr.
Galaxy is coming
....are you ready?
STAFF PROFILE: MARK WALKER From a background in print and design, Mark Walker joined Fullers in 1998 to fulfil his dream to work in a marine environment. His first role as café hand on board the Quickcat, along with Master Ray Thirwell, crewmen Peter Snowden and Kevin Pretty, was a great introduction the company. From there he became a deckhand on the Kestrel and even skippered its’ final journey to Tauranga in 2000. As master of the Manu - the Stanley Bay ferry - he also skippered her on the weekly Rakino Mail Run. Mark has driven all Fullers vessels since then, except the Kea, and in 2005 moved into a part time role here. He says it was a way of combining all his passions into his life and figures he’s a pretty lucky guy. It may surprise many to know he and wife Dinah have been finalists in the last 8 WOW awards (World of Wearable Arts) and won the Creative Excellence Award in 2010 with their “Lady La La” entry (along with several other placing’s over the years). Dinah handles the sewing and construction while Mark creates the ‘wizardry’ which sees him playing with circuit boards, LED lighting, electronics, fibreglass, carbon, steel and aluminium. Not content to sit still, Mark also completed the NZ Ironman in 12hrs 41m and participated in several other cycle events including riding the length of the South Island in a four man crew to complete the Tour of NZ event over 7 days. And even though we all work in a world of public transport, he reckons it’s great to see so many of Fullers crew go one step further for the environment and cycle to work! Three of Mark and Dinah’s WOW entries: Top: Lady La La 2010; Bottom Left: Colour Blind 2009; Right: Mood Swings 2006.
COMMENDATIONS... It seems those boys in the ticket office are getting a lot of well-deserved attention: Tomo Minamino received a commendation from a customer telling the Jet Raider Service Supervisor that…” Tomo is the friendliest ticket office staff member she has ever dealt with and that he is just fantastic!’. Well done Tomo, keep smiling! James Gear and Igor Biryukov received chocolates from a very grateful customer for tracking her down and returning her wallet to her. James found the item and Igor tracked her down through her bank. Thanks for going the extra distance guys! Financial Controller Gavin Old would like to express a ‘big thanks’ to the Finance Team of Christina, Charina, Cecilia and Saju who have been working hard to complete last year’s financial accounts for audit. Our external auditors have now given the numbers a big thumbs up and have sent them off to Scotland.
Congratulations to the staff elected to the Health and Safety Committee: Masters and Engineers: Aaron Honiss Onboard Services: Jennifer Neilson Onboard services: Tracy Salmons Maintenance: Brian Grove
A female passenger fell while boarding the Kea last Thursday and she has contacted us to thank Suna Strong and the team for assisting her. A fellow passenger took to the Medical Centre for attention. A big thanks to Mr Fix-it, Lew Gifford, from the team at Head Office for his help with a number of jobs following the shift to Level 3. Human Resources Manager, Alfrey Bloom, who managed the project, said that Lew’s ability to provide quick and thorough solutions to a range of tasks was truly appreciated. Waiheke Bus driver David Baker saw stardom as he welcomed a film crew on board his bus last week. The crew were on the island to film the local Hip-Op dance group – a team of local over 60s who will be part of a documentary coming to our screens soon. The crew struck it lucky as David is always ready with a smile for customers and cameras! The team at 360 Discovery decided a bunch of flowers weren’t right…a box of chocolates were all wrong...so they opted for a remote control toy helicopter instead to cheer up Crewman Andy Perkins following his recent heart attack. Get well Andy from us all!
A New Zealand1950s safety campaign poster.