Stabicraft Marine has delivered nine custom 659 Wheel House vessels to Alaska, where they will be used as observation boats to monitor the gill net fishery and the fishery’s interaction with sea mammals and sea birds.



The orders came at a special request from Saltwater Inc, a private organisation that gathers data on wildlife and fish stocks for the Alaskan Department of Fish and Game and by the National Marine Fisheries Service. The order is a big deal for New Zealand based Stabicraft Marine, as the vessels had to meet stringent US criteria. As a non-US company, they had to pass some stringent criteria, as well as having to undergo an independent surveyor’s assessment. The fact that the order has been made is therefore a positive endorsement of the design and build of these boats.

The Stabicraft 659 Wheel House features continuous tubes of sealed flotation chambers, providing a 2,276-litre ‘Life Ring’ on the outside of the boat. With the addition of an airtight chamber between the floor and the hull, they are virtually unsinkable. To provide extra room for passengers, the cabin itself is very wide at shoulder height and extra emphasis has been placed on the gunwale height, not only to keep passengers safe, but also to help minimise water ingress.

Stabicraft Marine MD, Paul Adams, was very upbeat about the fact that his famously robust boats have been recognised by such a demanding customer: “This is a significant order for Stabicraft. It has traditionally been very difficult for non-US boat manufacturers to supply vessels to be used in government projects. It’s a real coup.” For more details see Stabicraft.