The original True Light was the last boat to fish commercially under sail in Galway and survived the storm at sea on the night of the infamous Cleggan Disaster in which 44 other fishermen perished.

True Light is to be licensed as a Class 6 passenger boat to operate out of Galway. The vessel has been designed by Safehaven's managing director Frank Kowalski to conform to the stringent stability and safety requirements of this Class and will be capable of carrying 30 passengers. The design enables her to also operate as sea angling charter vessel and as a hydro survey craft.

The hull is based on the Deep V design featured across the rest of the Interceptor range but has been developed in this instance with a unique twin reverse chine offering significant seakeeping and performance advantages. A wide 13ft 10in beam provides exceptional lateral stability while a deep full length keel ensures directional stability as well as good attitude to the wind in drift. It also provides protection to the stern gear and allows for a large diameter propeller to be turned in the large single engine installations favoured for their economy. Deep V sections forward enable the maintenance of speed into steep head seas without slamming and a large freeboard keeps the decks dry.

To take advantage of the developing local market for deep sea big game fishing, True Light has a fly bridge to provide the visibility this type of fishing requires.

The vessel is powered by twin Caterpillar 3126 engines rated at 300hp each to provide a maximum speed of 24 knots and a fast cruising speed of 18-19 knots on a displacement of 10,000kg.

True Light's impressive seakeeping abilities are in evidence as the vessel undergoes sea trials in Cork. Encountering a Force 9 storm off Roches Point posed no problems for a boat that looks set to be every bit as seaworthy as her famous ancestor.

MJInformation No: 16827