Outrigger Design For Export Boat Contract

An Australian firm uses traditional ideas in a boat for the islands.

AFTER EXTENSIVE sea trials and top level demonstrations in Papua New Guinea, the Sydney based company TPS Marine is to commence construction of its first batch of 10 fully welded aluminium fishing and transport boats aimed at the Pacific islands market.

The first 10 will be manufactured in Papua New Guinea by Niugini Steel un der a contract placed by TPS’ Papua New Guinea subsidiary, TPS Marine (PNG) Pty Limited.

Mr Peter Martin, managing director of TPS Holdings Limited, says the TPS Sea cruiser 28 has been designed for Pacific islands fishing and transport.

“We have come up with a new export based product that is very attractive to the people of the island nations,” says Mr Martin. “The demonstration and sea trials held in Papua New Guinea were attended by leading membersof the Govern ment and public service, together with representa tives of leading trading houses in the area.”

The TPS Seacruiser 28 is 8.6 metres long, has a beam of 4.26 metres and a main hull beam of 1.2 metres. It is constructed of fully welded 2.5 mm (12 gauge) alu minium plate powered by an outboard motor or diesel inboard motor.

The Seacruiser has been designed us ing a traditional style with a central hull and outriggers affixed to either side. Solid

aluminium platforms are affixed to the hull and each outrigger. The boat weighs some 580 kilograms, has a load carrying capacity of 750 kilograms and is likely to sell for $ A 10,000 for the outboard version and $A 11,000 for the diesel version.

TPS is aiming to construct the boats by sub-contract or on a joint venture basis along the lines of the initial construction in Papua New Guinea. The manufacturer would purchase the pre-cut boats in kit form together with a jig to enable easy fab rication of the finished boats.

Says Peter Marlin: “We are using a typ ical Polynesian design that has been proven over hundreds of years for its buoyancy, stability and load carrying capabilities. It will be ideal for fishing and inter-island transport; it will also be able to carry a number of village members together with additional cargo.

“The strength of construction will mean minimum maintenance requirements to gether with the ability to handle the rough est use, particularly in coral lagoons and other hostile environments.” □

The 8.6-mefre Seacruiser employs outriggers for stability and buoyancy.