New travelifts add to Nelson capability

Nelson boat owners and those traveling around the country will soon have two new options for their haulout and maintenance - no matter how big, small or challenging they are to lift.  

Nelson Marina has ordered a new 110 ton Cimolai boat hoist that can lift vessels weighing between 1 to 110ton and up to 8.5m in beam and 30m in length. 

Photo supplied by Nelson Marina

Described as a substantial upgrade, it will accommodate a wider variety of boats including multihulls. 

Part of the project includes improvements to the way that water and waste runoff is captured and treated. 

The Nelson Marina team say the operation is dedicated to improving and sustaining best biosecurity practices through every day operations and practices

For bigger boats, the Calwell Marine Maintenance and Transitional Facility at Port Nelson will provide haulout and launch facilities for vessels from 50 to 2400 tonnes. Boat owners can choose to use the new Cimolai 550-tonne boat hoist and 7,000 m² of hardstand space or the slipway for vessel refit, repair, and equipment servicing. 

Calwell is an MPI-accredited transitional facility and features state-of-the-art environmental controls. It is expected to be operational in early 2026. 

“Nelson is a gateway to the Abel Tasman which we are working hard to protect. The capacity of infrastructure, and the right type of infrastructure, around the coastlines is important to our marine biosecurity protections,” says Richard Frizzell, Environmental Programmes Adviser at Nelson City Council. “Both commercial and recreational boat owners need to be able to haul out for maintenance and cleaning, and this new facility goes a long way for bigger vessels.”