MyPE

Community Business Directory, Event Listings, News and Views from Gqeberha, Nelson Mandela Bay

A Breath of Fresh Air From PE Boat Manufacturer

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I really need to find more people like T-Craft Ocean Legacy Marine – an aluminium boat manufacturer based in Perserverance, Port Elizabeth.

In complete contrast to the plethora of launches that I normally attend that have a strong political and politically correct bias, the unveiling of T-Craft’s latest craft – a 14 metre, 4.8 metre wide, 8 tonne aluminium catamaran research vessel destined for the Zambian Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries to be utilised on the Kariba and Tanganyika lakes – was more of a celebration of local ingenuity and guts in establishing this business than an exercise in posing.

This vessel is the first of two that will be used for conducting research, conservation and monitoring of fish stocks on the lakes. The first vessel has already been despatched and will be handed over to the Zambian Permanent Secretary, Professor Phiri at Siavonga on Lake Kariba on 7 June 2011.

Impressing the gathered petrol heads was T-Craft’s statement that the research vessel utilises proprietary technology, VTOL, which allows for the 14 metre, 8 tonne vessel powered by 2 x 250 horsepower outboard motors to plane at 32 knots. A claimed fuel saving of 30% is also mooted by T-Craft.

Group CEO, Geoff O’ Connell was visibly proud of his team who had beat out three other tenderers (two international and one local Cape Town boat builder) to clinch the deal and emphasised that their success was a strictly Eastern Cape one that did not get any outside government assistance to win through. How refreshing to hear the owner of a business being honest and down the line.

It is envisaged that the increase in business will contribute to 10 more permanent jobs at the factory which prides itself on promoting from within.

Ocean Legacy Marine T-Craft destined for Lake Kariba undergoing sea trials in Algoa Bay, Port Elizabeth
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Alan Straton

Chief Cook, Bottle Washer and Broom Mechanic at MyPE
Passionate about Port Elizabeth and definitely NOT packing for Perth. Alan's ethos is epitomised in the words of Nelson Mandela; "I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the idea of a democratic and free society. If need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die." See more articles by Alan.

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