“ A fishing place ”

The term could well be applied to the vessel “Titchtjarla”. The boat is big enough and has enough space to be referred to as a “place”.

However, “a fishing place” ( Titchtjarla) is an area off the Pilbara in North Western WA and was chosen by Pilbara Fishing Ventures Pty Ltd as the name for their entry into the world of professional fishing. The entry is via the latest 30 metre aluminium catamaran from Commercial Catamarans.

Skipper Allen Bardelmeyer took delivery of the boat at Lakes Entrance mid March after lengthy sea and fishing trials.
Pilbara Fishing Ventures have chosen the most advanced fishing machine ever to hit the water in our area in pursuit of pelagic fish.
The latest from Commercial Catamarans has the best of the proven technology available in the areas of refrigeration, electronics, mechanics and fishing gear, including the latest in satellite beacons.

The 30m aluminium catamaran is a lengthened version of the previous 23 m vessels already in service throughout Australia. The length, plus the huge 11m beam give the vessel and incredible amount of space, on deck, in the accommodation, on the bridge, engine room and most of all, in the massive fish storage areas.

Eight Refrigerated Salt Water tanks each hold approx 8,000 litres of water and give a huge capacity for fish held in RSW. In addition there is a refrigerated cool room with a capacity of around 40 tonnes. Ice is supplied by a Majah icemaker. The bait freezer aft has a capacity of about 15 tonnes.

Propulsion is from a 400 hp Iveco in each hull coupled with a twin disc gear box with 5 blade propellers. Top speed is 14 knots with a 13 knot cruising speed. With a possible 53,000 litres of fuel the range of this boat makes it suitable for international work as well as fishing within the AFZ. Two Iveco auxiliaries each drive 180 kva alternators which run the refrigeration plants, hydraulics, icemaker, water maker and general on board domestic requirements. The boat is fully air conditioned throughout.

Titchtjarla” has been built to USL code 3B and 3A giving the opportunity to go to where the fish are, whether that is in Australian waters or somewhere on the other side of the Atlantic.

Pilbara Fishing Ventures know they are getting a boat that was designed to be the best, Horst Fisher originally confirmed the design as his own vessel. Everything on the boat had to be the latest in technology, but had to be proven prior to it being installed. The boat was not far from launch when Steve Dixon from Fisheries Management Strategies Pty Ltd encouraged interest from Pilbara Fishing Ventures and eventually convinced them that it made good sense to invest in long lining with a boat of this type. The outcome is a new fishing organisation that will make its mark with the latest and best that is available.

Skipper Allen Bardelmeyer concedes that this is a long way form the early days of cray fishing in the waters around Flinders Island, but relishes the opportunity to show his skills with a vessel of this type.


Since his early cray fishing days Allen has gained experience in skippering tuna longline boats both off the East Coast and the South and West Coasts and looks forward to getting to sea, not having to be too concerned about the weather, and having a comfortable platform on which to work and sleep.

He is excited about the prospects of having a vessel that is so adaptive, RWS or ice storage of fish, large bait freezer, live bait possibility, access to more ports due to reduced draft and a boat that can spend more time at sea.

When asked why this particular vessels was chosen as a recommendation to Pilbara Fishing Ventures, Steve Dixon from Fisheries Management Strategies said “ there are a thousand Indonesian fishing boats working within 600 miles of our coast catching 45,000 tonnes of Big eye tuna a year. This is the vessel to enable Australia to participate in this fishery”.

The enthusiasm generated by, Horst Fischer the builder, Steve Dixon the manager, Allen Bardelmeyer the Skipper, and the new owners, Pilbara Fishing Ventures Pty Ltd ensures the venture will succeed.

Copyright © 2002 Terry Phefley
Friday, March 22, 2002