After providing a 'flawless” service for nearly 40 years long-time owner David Pierpont has recently sold his business Whitianga Water Transport Limited.

The Whitianga ferry service will now be owned and operated by Fred Acke who has called the town his home for the last four years.

The Whitianga ferry service has a new captain with Fred Acke, pictured with partner Caroline and daughter Mia, purchasing the business from Dave Pierpont who is retiring after 40 years. Photo: TCDC

Fred has been at sea for around 32 years on Super yachts and first sailed into Whitianga in 1989.

He settled in the township in 2010 and it was in Whitianga where he met his partner Caroline.

'I was pretty sure back then I would end up living here, of all of the world that I have sailed I think Mercury Bay is probably one of the best places to live,” says Fred.

There are no immediate changes planned for the ferry service, although Fred and Caroline have made a commitment to build a new ferry to replace the ‘Stella B' within a year.

This new vessel will be a 50 seater and would not be some 'boring looking thing like you might find noncing about Auckland.”

Fred says he has a lot of admiration for the retiring Dave Pierpont saying he has provide a 'a sterling service and job well done.”

'The poor bugger has had me on his case for the last 3 years, the only way he could get rid of me was to sell me the business, and it's about time he had a Christmas off."

Mercury Bay Community Board chairperson Paul Kelly says there will be a slight increase to casual ferry fees.

Council owns, manages and maintains both the Ferry Landing and the Whitianga wharves, he says.

'There is a cost to maintaining this infrastructure. Whitianga ferry fares have not been reviewed and raised for some time.

'Concession cards won't increase, the price increase is only for the casual rates at this stage.”