The only specialised marine publication in Oceania that focuses on the maritime industry, from super yachts to small craft to large commercial ships, including coastal shipping, tugs, tow boats, barges, ferries, tourist, sport-fishing craft
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www.skipper.co.nz letters of intent to build the first in Korea. But it was the shift in loyalties from potential Kiwi owners that got me. I admire the concept and love the price Keith, but can we build in New Zealand? We can, but sadly not for a million dollars. So here is the challenge to the workboat industry. While there is a high aspect of loyal potential owners who want to build in New Zealand, they cannot afford to be ripped off with the historic cost plus attitudes of yesteryear. Yes, as history will attest, there were some rip-offs or was it just good business? Either way, the result was, with the exceptions of Stark Bros, and one or two privates, that no customers are building new trawlers. That is until now, when in the final death throes of the inshore trawler industry we have to do something. Emotive words maybe, but true. The problem is that over the past decade or two our Maritime Safety Authority now Maritime New Zealand have signed up to a heap of international conventions and agreements that we have dragged the anchor on and not delivered. Maritime New Zealand have recently announced that it will be ensuring compliance with the rules with which, for up to half of our current fishing vessels, many will just not comply. No more exemptions is the word from MNZ. Under MOSS fishing vessels will have to comply with rule 40D as well as rule 19 and 24. This will also include such things as freeboard, stability, load lines, fire fighting, the new food and safety rules including fish handling. Gone will be the days of having fish kicking around the decks. Potentially it could be stainless steel stern ramps, fish pounds and chilled shelters because of the risk of on board listeria outbreaks. Public health has now arrived at sea. From the net to the end consumer the quality of our fish will have to be tracked all the way. Not since the last major fleet upgrades with the "Happy" boats. JBL built a fleet with mixed ownership and Sanford built the 60 and 90 footers, have we seen a potential solution to the problem. However, it will require a considered commitment from the quota owners and companies to develop workable fish plans and contracts with our younger generation fishermen so that they can afford to make the investment required to develop the future of our inshore fishing industry. Likewise, it will require a concerted effort by the ship and workboat groups to lobby the community and central Government for support by way of incentive subsidies, tax relief or whatever it takes to make these vessels affordable to build in New Zealand. Now there's a challenge. For further information please contact the editor: keith@skipper.co.nz, ph 09 533 4336 or Phillip Carey: phillipcarey@clear.net.nz, ph 03 570 5572 SOUNDPROOFING solutions Marine Approved, low flame spread acoustic solutions, including Flexible noise barriers Sound absorbers Vibration control Marine approved structural fire protection on steel, aluminium & composite structures Non-combustible thermal insulation Lightweight fire & thermal solutions for enhanced vessel performance & efficiency Turn key exhaust systems V P.S VIP.S93 P generation contract fishermen, even with a guaranteed quota to catch in a five year fish plan with the quota owners and company, the banks would be reluctant to look at anything more. The numbers just do not stack up. The ITQ of quota has created a new fourth hand in the till, with many owners just sitting back and screwing the fishermen for as much as they can extract. There has to be something wrong when the quota owner is earning more from the wharf price of fish than the fishermen who catch the fish. The price tag was a tough call, because even Stark's new trawlers were two million dollars and were just not affordable for the small fisherman, so once again silence prevailed on the waterfront. That was until two months ago, when respected Marlborough designer Phillip Carey rang me and said: "Keith you remember that challenge you gave us on the new inshore trawlers?" "Yes I do," was my reply. "Well, I have risen to the occasion and have something to show you, are you still interested?" "Hell yes," and via email came the most exciting design I have seen in years. Phillip had come up with two options, a 16.7m and a 19m version. But it was the size of the hull that excited me most. With 7.6m in the beam and a 70 cubic metre fish room, this boat had a heap of real estate. Powered with 500hp delivering 270hp at the prop, and giving a no-load service speed of 11knots to and from the fishing grounds. These boats will fly. Below is a 35kva gen set, ice maker, hydraulics, twin winches, net drums and a bow thruster. Fitted with crew accommodation in three cabins plus an observer bunk, good galley, a pilot station with all the latest fishing electronics, winch station and plenty of crew shelter on deck and the latest in fish handling facilities, these vessels will boot the fishing industry into the 21st century at long last. "Ahh, the price?" I said enquiringly. "Yes, there is a catch," said Phillip, "we can build it to ABS class and the new MNZ MOSS standards for a million bucks, but not in New Zealand." "How much," I said. US$825,000 indicative plus delivery cost and they will have to be built in Korea was the reply. Well, to say I was impressed was an understatement. "Let's test the waters," I responded, and made a few calls to be followed up with a meeting or two. First, I needed to go out to the New Zealand ship and workboat industry for concept costing. Can we build in New Zealand would be a challenge? Next was to canvas interest with both the fishing companies and independent fishermen. Well, you would have thought I was the toffee apple kid, so far we have expressions of interest for 16 vessels along with two www.pyroteknc.com nzsales@pyrotek-inc.com July/August 2013 for sound advice please call 0800 ACOUSTICS Professional Skipper 17