Steber launches new flybridge cruiser headed to Hayman Island
New boat will shuttle resort guests to fishing hot-spots at high speed and maximum comfortSteber International has delivered its latest boat to the water, an 11.5-metre flybridge cruiser destined to quickly and comfortably shuttle tourists around Queensland’s Hayman Island.
The Taree, NSW company was commissioned to replace the island’s current charter vessel, Sun Aura I, also built by Steber in 1989.
This morning, Sun Aura II was launched shortly after dawn on a high tide on the Manning River in a move carefully planned to cause as little disruption as possible to businesses around the Elizabeth Street factory.
“With a total height of 6.5m above the roadway the transfer was slow, with full escorts in place and assistance from Essential Energy raising power cables,” Steber said.
“The Sun Aura II will have a top speed of 30 knots carrying 16 passengers and crew in what will be the Whitsunday’s premier charter vessel.”
Built to new standards
Steber International general manager Alan Steber said this was the first boat it had built to the Australian Maritime Safety Authority’s new National Standards for Commercial Vessels code, which provides a common national standard for the design, construction, crewing and operation of vessels.
“Changes include the addition of structural fire protection, flood subdivision and stability criteria to name just a few,” Steber said.
“Although the Essex has minimal electronics, it is all state-of-the-art due to heightened
expectations of the new regulations.”
The Sun Aura II will head to Hayman Island after a final fitout and sea trials.
Post-cyclone makeover
The new charter vessel is part of the Queensland island resort’s refurbishment in the wake of 2017’s Cyclone Debbie, which wreaked an estimated $1.5 billion in damage to the state.
Sun Aura I will be sold after the resort takes delivery of the new boat.
Steber is working on a number of other projects including the biggest boat it has made, a 61-foot fishing research vessel commissioned by the Mauritius government.
It will also supply a new rescue vessel to the Port Fairy Coast Guard, with an option to build more for other Victorian marine rescue services.
It is also working on building an unmanned vessel for the Australian navy.
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