Nelson Bay fisherman John Skoljarev recently commissioned naval architect firm Oceantech to design a new generation 24-metre pelagic longliner, the first of the company's new pelagic and demersal longliner offerings.
John said there is growing confidence in the fishery, and now is the time to build a new, efficient vessel to reduce operational costs and make the most of opportunities in the fishery.
The combined steel and aluminium vessel will be powered by a Mitsubishi S6R main engine, NICO gearbox and a fixed pitch propeller. It will feature large capacity RSW and bait tanks as well as a refrigerated fish hold and bait freezer.
Construction will commence March 2019 in Tomago, Australia, by construction firm TW Woods.
