Bay of Plenty Regional Council is naming its newest boat Moko after the bottlenose dolphin that frequented Tauranga harbour in 2010.

Moko was a sensation around Mahia for two years before he meandered north, first to Gisborne and then to Whakatāne in January 2010. In June 2010, Moko was again overcome by wanderlust and chased a fishing boat to Tauranga, where he died.

Attending the blessing, which will be held at the Tauranga Yacht and Power Boat Club from 10am, will be BOPRC councillors Norm Bruning, David Love, Jane Nees, Arapeta Tahana and Lyall Thurston.

Moko is a 5.5 metre rigid hulled inflatable built by Southern Pacific Inflatables in Kumeu. It's built with an alloy hull and inflatable pontoon sides, features a Yamaha 100hp motor and customized bimini top, and is surveyed to carry eight people.

The new vessel will help the regional council's maritime team with navigation safety on the water. It can be used by one person in stable weather conditions and the inflatable's low/soft gunwales make it well sorted for their patrols, says Bay of Plenty harbourmaster Peter Buell.

'The style is useful in a number of scenarios, for example our scientists find it great for diving and an easy platform to work from. It's extremely light to tow as well as one of the most safest types of vessels currently available, and it's efficient to run.”

Moko is very similar to the vessel the regional council purchased for the Rotorua Lakes and wider Bay of Plenty last year.