Built as Rock lobster processing and factory mother ship and refrigerated trawler by E.S. Barens & Co. Pty., Durban, South Africa for the South Atlantic Island Development Corp., at Cape Town.
Launched under the name GILLIAN GAGGINS.
Tonnage 794 gross, 394 net, 1.180 dwt., dim. 162.75 x 32.58 x 11.5ft. (draught)
Powered by two 6-cyl. Davey Paxman diesels, each 674 bhp., speed 14 knots. Variable pitch propeller.
1965 Delivered to owners.
At that time she was the largest vessel yet built in South Africa, and one of the most highly automated vessels engaged in fishing.
She was special designed for the catching and processing of the rock-lobster on the exposed fishing grounds in the waters off Tristan da Cunha-Nightingale-Inaccessible waters.
Capable to accommodate up to 75 men, with fuel and stores for five months. Processing the catch and storing the lobster in her reefer holds, till her return in Cape Town.
As mother ship she had 21 glass-fibre dinghies, each operated by two men. These dinghies were raised and lowered by a 3 ton hydraulic crane.
1977 She became a fishery protection vessel, renamed in CUSTOS.
2006 Owners given as Pier Shipping, Cape Town, and still in use as a fishery protection vessel under the name CUSTOS.
I found her back as a research vessel still under the name of CUSTOS with IMO No 6514211 and for sale with the intention to convert her in an expedition yacht.
Her position is between Mozambique and South Africa according to the web-site.
The site gives also that she has to be sold before 01 March 2017 otherwise she is going to a scrapyard.
January 2018 she is still for sale on that website.
2020 Laid up.
http://www.yachtworld.com/core/listing/ ... r&lineonly
Tristan da Cunha 1998 45p sg634, scott 615, (she is the lowest vessel on the stamp) 1997 £1.20 sg?, scott 617. 58p sg ?, scott?
Source: watercraft Philately, some web-sites and info received from Mr. R.B. Haworth.