Date: 11 January 2012 14:51
Subject: [WoodenBoatsAustralia] Historic Pearling Lugger Antonia
To: WoodenBoatsAustralia@yahoogroups.com
Blackbird International, the current owners of the pearling lugger Antonia, are seeking expressions of interest for her divestment to a suitable organisation or individual interested in restoring her or other options or offers of support.
Despite our best efforts, and whilst we were successful in gaining government support for her restoration, there has been little other corporate or philanthropic support to make significant headway. The new year has seen our board meet and make the decision to divest Antonia to allow us to concentrate on our more immediate and important projects.
Antonia was to be restored into original configuration and increasingly we were becoming aware that it will be extremely difficult to get her into survey to operate in Queensland waters as a commercial vessel. The funding required to do this has now been redirected by our board to our other projects.
Being 60ft in length without the bowsprit, she is a large vessel. She requires full restoration, but is still a good candidate.
She is based on the hard stand at the Townsville Port Authority and needs to be moved ASAP. Interested parties need to be able to consider the available resources to be able to move here immediately. McAleese Transport based in Townsville are available and have moved her before.
Photographs, further information and the two surveys undertaken are available on request.
Interested parties should contact:
Michael Smith
Director
Blackbird International
Email: michael@blackbird.vu
Phone: 0400 663300
