Project Galilee is providing a new vessel for Gizo Diocese in the Solomon Islands.
The diocese covers an area with close to one hundred islands spread over 300km of sea.
Its 70 year old wooden vessel, the St Peter, has outlived its useful life, and its continued use is not economically sustainable.
So the Diocese has purchased a 14 meter steel ex-fishing trawler to replace St Peter.
The vessel has been named Galilee.
The purchase is being funded through donations.
Donations can be made on Give a Little.
A New Zealand Mahitahi Catholic overseas volunteer, Doug Buchan, who carried out an engineering and electrical overhaul of St Peter, is now assisting this project.
Volunteer Gordon Banfield says “This is a major project and should bring long term service to many in the islands of Gizo Diocese.”
“Whilst we seek additional funding we also ask for prayerful support for this project.”
Galilee was built in 1964 and is fitted with an old English Gardner diesel engine which is in good condition and runs like clockwork.
It is being fitted out at Opua in Northland.
There is still some work to do to get it ready for the trip to Gizo.
The vessel needed to be hauled from the water and cleaned and repainted.
A new alternator, a range of spare parts, essential safety equipment and fuel for the delivery voyage are still needed.
The voyage to Gizo from New Zealand is 2300 nautical miles.
With a service speed of 7 knots, the ship is expected to arrive there sometime in August.
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