Media Release

Austal - New Name but Same Great Image for the World’s Best Liveaboards

Although the name will be different, the vessels will continue to be produced to the same high standards of design, construction and engineering that have made them the vessel of choice for many of the world’s leading live-aboard operators. Every step of the process – from handling of the initial enquiry through to vessel handover and in-service support – will be carried out by the same experts in the live-aboard field and with same high standard of friendly professionalism.

Sales Manager Mark Stothard says both existing and future owners of live-aboards built by the company stand to benefit from the prestigious worldwide reputation that Austal has acquired across a broad range of vessels, since commencing operations in 1988.

"Just as Image has been a byword for excellence within the live-aboard sector, the Austal name is synonymous with excellence throughout the broader international marine industry. Bringing the live-aboards under the Austal name will thus reinforce their existing reputation as a premium product to a wider audience," he said.

Austal now builds a wide variety of vessels ranging from 15 metre upwards but its association with the live-aboard market dates back to the company’s formative years. In fact, the first vessel ever built by Austal was "Spoil Sport", a 30 metre live-aboard built for Mike Ball Dive Expeditions.

"Live-aboards have been part of our business from the outset and have remained so even as the company has expanded successfully into other sectors such as fast ferries, cruise vessels and patrol boats," Managing Director Bob McKinnon said.

In addition to "Spoil Sport" notable Austal live-aboards include:

• "Paradise Sport", a 29.9 metre catamaran, also built for Mike Ball Dive Expeditions.
• "Aqua Cat", a 31.1 metre catamaran for Miami-based Blackbeard's Cruises.
• "Island Explorer", a 39 metre catamaran that is part of Four Seasons Resort Maldives.
• The 34.5 metre monohull "True North" for North Star Cruises.

Update on current activities
Currently under construction is the new "True North", a 50 metre, 36 guest replacement for North Star Cruises’ existing vessel. Whereas previous live-aboards have been built in facilities a short distance inland, this vessel is being constructed in larger, fully enclosed shipbuilding halls right on the waterfront.

Construction of this vessel has proceeded rapidly since the contract was announced in November 2003 and can be viewed online on the Austal website (www.austal-ships.com/gallery/webcam.cfm). Mark Stothard says the vessel may be completed ahead of the scheduled February 2005 delivery date and North Star’s General Manager Peter Trembath is evidently extremely pleased.

“After the unequivocal success of the original “True North” there was really no doubt we would return to the same team for our next vessel,” Mr Trembath said. “Their expertise is shown through both the speed at which it is being built and the very high quality of the work. We are certainly looking forward to welcoming passengers onboard early in the 2005 cruise season and bringing a new level of comfort to Kimberley cruising.”

Also currently under construction is a 37.7 metre monohull vessel to be based in the Bahamas. Although being built for a private owner this vessel holds plenty of interest for commercial operators as it will be used for underwater research and documentary film-making. The vessel’s exterior resembles that of a work boat, while the interior will comprise the features of both a yacht and dive boat. Independence was a key factor in the design, so features will include a dive compressor, desalinator and storage for SCUBA and film equipment. The vessel is due to be delivered by mid 2005.