Supercabs scour Oz coastline

Another eight 659 Supercabs are due for Australia. Photo / NZH.

Another eight Stabicraft 659 Supercabs are about to wing their way across the Tasman to patrol the Australian coastline.

The eight boats are the second part of a three-year supply contract between the Invercargill-based boatbuilder and the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service.

Nine boats were originally provided to Australian Customs two years ago. According to Stabicraft's Australasian sales manager, Sean McColl, they have primarily seen service in mainland areas of that country.

"In contrast, these eight are going to western and northern ports and will be used to protect Australia's sizeable sea borders from illegal immigrants," he says.

McColl says the second order followed favourable reports from those using the original shipment.

"They've been using those boats for about 18 months and they love them.

"The Australian Customs and Border Protection Service officers like the 659s because of their size, and the fact that they are easy to manage but still handle well offshore."

Three of the new boats will be based at Thursday Island in the Torres Strait, and one will be based at Christmas Island in Western Australia. The other four will go to northern Western Australian ports such as Port Hedland and Geraldton.

McColl says that, after a lean time during the world economic recession, Stabicraft workers have been working overtime to deliver the eight new 659s. "The boats are just about complete. The first four are due out of the service centre this week and the second four will be ready for shipping on July 5."