Commercial Catamarans has launched the second boat to enter the trap fishery out of Darwin to be operated by Fischer Wholesale.

“STARLIGHT” is another 23 metre aluminium catamaran specifically designed for this lucrative fishery in the Timor Sea.

The similarity of this vessel compared to the previous “STARCAT” proves the success of the design and the systems, all designed and installed by Commercial Catamarans at their factory in Lakes Entrance.

These boats continue to prove their superiority with comfort at sea, reduced maintenance and running costs and numbers of days worked, adding up to increased profitability.

The refrigeration is again a feature of the boat with all systems, including the complete air conditioning throughout the boat, using glycol as a medium. This system has proved to be very efficient and reliable and Commercial Catamarans will standardise the system for use in all future vessels.

Iveco motors, with their reliability and fuel efficiency, have become a standard feature in the Commercial Catamarans boats. “Star Light” has two 400hp Iveco mains with two 6 cylinder Ivecos driving 180 KVA alternators.

Electronics again are a feature of the boat controlling everything from the complicated hydraulic systems used for hauling and storing traps, to the monitoring of engine rooms. An innovation on “STARLIGHT” is the display of radar, echo sounders, 3D bottom imaging and of course navigation, all on LCD flat panel monitors. The system gives great visual effect and ensures reliability and ease of service with so many interchangeable components.

All systems on deck have been designed and built with fish quality at the market in mind. Fish are landed on foam to minimise damage, immersed in brine within seconds of being brought on board and then stored in ice until packed by hand in foam boxes before being shipped to market. Horst Fischer believes there is little sense in catching fish and not looking after them and he is convinced it is more important than ever in these times of decreasing fish stocks to maximise the return from your catch.

To maximise efficiency in trap handling a new system has been developed to bring the traps aboard, unload, rebait and reset. This system employs a tipper that guides the trap aboard, opens gates that release the fish and allows rebaiting and enables the trap to be removed for storage or to be reset. Should this prove to dramatically increase trap time in the water “STARCAT” will be fitted with a similar system.

“STARLIGHT” will leave Lakes Entrance towards the end of October to commence fishing prior to Christmas.

A new trap vessel has already been started in the factory and negotiations are underway for another vessel with a new concept.