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Sea-Tow
 "Sea Tow 25" and "Sea Tow 4" heading into Onehunga under the watchful eye of "Manukau"
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The Sea-Tow tug-and-barge operation was a familiar sight during the first decade of the 21st Century, with many a trip made twixt Greymouth and Onehunga carrying gravel - from Williams Road Metals for use on exposed aggregate driveways - or cargo of a similar nature - certainly not suited for carriage in a twenty-foot container, that's for sure.
There were four combinations which frequented the Port. "Sea-Tow 25" lugged around "Sea-Tow 4", while "Sea-Tow 22" invariably had "Sea-Tow 17" for company as they made their way around the coast. "Sea-Tow 21" kept "Sea-Tow 8"'s movements in check on the high seas, while "Tangkas" and the monster 6000 tonne deadweight barge, "Sea-Tow 60", were visitors in the later stages of Sea-Tow's visits to Onehunga.
 Sourced from Ships of NZ Facebook page
Sea-Tow Ltd originated in 1922 as a small family-owned Auckland-based shipping company operating between the North and East Capes of the North Island, a far cry from the leading Tug & Barge operator in the South Pacific, which is what the organisation evolved into.
New owners took over the business in 2004, at which point the tugs were afforded names, rather than numbers as means of identification. Pacific Basin Towage then appeared on the scene, and since 2008 the operation has been known as PB Sea-Tow (NZ) Ltd.
 Sourced from Ships of NZ Facebook page
The first time Sea-Tow vessels tied up alongside at Onehunga was on 30 November 1985, while the final Sea-Tow visit to Onehunga took place in 2007, with the last sailing occurring on 4 April.
Details of the barges, or deck cargo pontoons, as they are also known, are detailed below:
 Sourced from Ships of NZ Facebook page
As for the tugs, "Sea-Tow 25" is now operating in St Vincent & the Grenadines, while "Kurutai" can be found among the Heron Construction fleet locally. "Katea" is now operated by Pacific Basin Towing, who took over Sea-Tow, while "Koraki" is still found in Auckland.
 taken by John Wilson, www.shipspotting.com
 taken by Wayne A'Court, www.shipspotting.com
 Photo taken by Chris Howell, www.shipspotting.com
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