Stabicraft sends boat to Pohnpei

NEW Zealand-based Stabicraft Marine is exporting to one of its remotest locations yet – the tiny island of Pohnpei.

Never heard of Pohnpei? Located in the Pacific Ocean just above the equator, Pohnpei is one of four states which form the Federated States of Micronesia.

"I would imagine it’s the most remote place we’ve ever sent a boat – well to date anyway,” Stabicraft Marine Australasian sales manager Sean McColl said.

“We’ve sent our boats all over the globe to some unusual one-off places but Pohnpei is definitely one we had to Google first.”

The fully-rigged 759SC has been purchased by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade which has an outpost on Pohnpei – one of 607 islands in Micronesia.

“It’s a boat on the island for their staff to use, particularly for recreation,” McColl said.

“Fishing, diving and surfing are the obvious choice for R and R on an island like Pohnpei.”

Undoubtedly picturesque, Pohnpei also has the reputation of being one of the wettest islands in the world with an annual rainfall exceeding 200 inches on the coast and 400 inches inland.

“We will be sending a staff member over to complete the fit out when the boat arrives and he is looking forward to discovering what Pohnpei has to offer,” McColl said.

It is not the first time the Invercargill boat manufacturer has secured a contract with the Australian Federal Government. Last year, it supplied nine 659 Supercabs to Australian Customs and Border Security to aid in the war against illegal importation.

“We came highly recommended on the back of the customs deal so it’s great to see Stabicraft’s reputation as one of the world’s safest and most innovative boat manufacturers having such a positive impact,” McColl said.