Port Nelson Ups Security

Port Nelson Ups Security

Port Nelson will have full security in place for the visit of the 134m boutique cruise ship Seabourn Spirit on Thursday. (Feb 2)

PNL Marketing Manager Chris Williams says the visit is the first from a passenger vessel since new security systems were put in place in July 2004, to meet stringent post September 11' international requirements.

"In the past taxis and shuttles were able to drive to the berth, but now we will shuttle passengers to our main gate in Carkeek Street, though we will allow five chartered buses into the port area, with our security staff on board." The 180 passengers on Seabourn Spirit left Cairns on January 22 and cruised the Gold Coast, sailing south for two nights in Sydney before crossing the Tasman and berthing in Nelson.

While in Nelson the passengers have the options of helicopter rides over Lord of the Ring's sites or the Abel Tasman coastline, thrill seeking at Happy Valley or tours of local craft galleries and vineyards. The Seabourn Spirit last visited Nelson in early March 2004 and will make a second call here next month. We are also expecting "The World", a luxury 196m ship with room for 1042 passengers to visit later in the year.

Latitude Nelson has worked hard to draw more cruise ships here and hopes to see the results of these efforts in the 2007-08 year with significant economic benefits for the region. It is estimated that each passenger that travels on a cruise ship to New Zealand generates around $1,700 in value added for the economy.

Nelsonians who want to have a look at the vessel can do so from the coastal berth near Olivias or from the Port Hills. The arrival time is 12 noon and departure is 6pm. Ship's Cove and Kaikoura are next on the itinerary before the cruise finishes in Lyttelton.

ENDS

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