Veecraft Marine 

Builds a unique award winning
aluminium catamaran fishing vessel

Maritime Reporter SA asked Managing Director of Veecraft, Andre van Niekerk, if he was striving to be different, after having launched two rather unique vessels in one year. “Not at all.” “Striving to be more practical, efficient and cost effective.”  Was his reply. Catching the sunlight and standing proud and about to be launch on the syncrolift.
Mr. Jan Nel of the Eastern Cape contacted Andre during December 2002 with the idea of building an aluminium vessel to replace his current 12-year-old steel catamaran. A year later, Jan gave Andre a call and said. “let's build the thing.” Triton Naval Architects were contracted  to do the design and construction began on June the sixteenth 2004.	Twelve months later, the design and craft were completed. And then, it was time to take the vessel on a perilous journey from Veecraft Marine’s Plattekloof Road boatyard and down to the sea. She attrached a great deal of attention on her way to the launch facility. Crouds of people came to see her prior her getting onto the syncrolift for the launch.
This was going to be a unique craft from the start, just short of 22-meters in length, 7.8-meter beam, keel to main deck 4.62-meters and three stories high. Jan Nel had gained a great deal of experience from his steel catamaran and wanted the new vessel to have a high tunnel so that she could stay at sea for as long as it needed to, regardless of weather conditions.  Aluminium was chosen as the material for constructing the vessel as it gave him freedom of design, alterations could be made later if need be and repairs would be easy to conduct and most importantly, maintenance is minimal on aluminium vessels.
	She accommodates a nautical crew of three in the comfortable bridge house.  The fishing crew of twenty-two are accommodated in the enclosed spacious fore deck. It has a well-appointed galley, dinning area, salon with TV facilities, bunking and ample heads, showers and washbasins. Fishing is carried out along the aft port, starboard and stern gunwales. A sorting table is situated amidships near the two 13 cubic meter blast freezers and the two 35.69 cubic meter below deck insulated freezer fish holds. The port aft locker room cabin accommodates the compressors while the starboard unit houses the main Caterpillar 185kw generator, batteries and switchgear. A John Deer 40kw generator is situated in the starboard engine room. Main propulsion is by two 3406 Caterpillar 300HP four stroke diesels driving the two five blade propellers to give her a speed of about 10-knots.
As the vessel is going to be based in Port Elizabeth, it was decided to employ local  sub-contractors. Offshore Marine Cooling did the refrigeration and DC Marine Electrical  did the electrification. After sales service is always an important aspect when owning a commercial vessel. The Cape Town based suppliers and sub contractors where Barloworld who supplied the Caterpillar main engines and generator. Vetus supplied the hydraulic engine controls.  Engineering Services did the line boring for the prop-shafts. Tamarix supplied the prop-shafts and propellers. Pertec supplied the electronics. Beverly Jones of Bev’s Repairs and Installations did the engine and generators installation.
	Hydraulic steering by Optima Hydraulics. New Way Motors supplied the John Deer Generator. Alf Maneveld’s Custom Yacht Marine Carpentry and Finishing, Sigma Coatings non-slip and anti-fouling, SEP Thermal supplied and installed  thermal insulation. Aluminium City, Non-Ferrous Metal Works and Gammid Cape supplied the majority of marine grade aluminium for the build.
Principal Characteristics. Overall length……………............21.8m. Beam…………………....………….7.8m Depth from keel to main deck……4.62m Fishermen…........................….22 persons Maritime Crew…………………..3 persons Speed…………………………… +/- 10 knots Constructed from marine grade aluminium    Capacities 2 x Fish holds…………….35.69 cu m each 2 x Blast freezers…………13.1 cu m each Fuel oil.........................................12900 litres Fresh water…………………….5530 litres Lube oil……………… ………700 litres

 We wish all who sail on her good fishing and a safe passage.......

Veecraft Marine
received an industry award
for this craft during 2006.
 

In the beginning	There where frames, many frames.
Companionway.	Easing out into the world.
Waterfront here we come!	Syncro Dancing.
Cheers!! As she hits the water.	The Skipper and Jumbo. Sea sick already??
	And where is she now? Gone Fishing!!
She floats!! Well done chaps!!