Flamingo Bay – administrators appointed – BUY IT NOW!

by Jeni Bone on 28 Jan 2014 If you ever had the urge to own a piece of maritime history, travel the length and breadth of the world, above and below the water, create documentaries, or any number of other adventures, now is your chance to snap up the one and only RV Flamingo Bay.

'Built to rescue, converted to explore' Flamingo Bay is in USL 2B Survey, meaning she can cope with all conditions, can go anywhere in the world and is certified for 12+8 people.

Owner and skipper for the past 13 years, David says he is looking forward to moving on to the next chapter in his life in the Bahamas where he will be closer to family.

'I have a project with my son that I am looking forward to stepping into shortly. We have appointed administrators to hasten the sale. It has to happen within the next couple of months, and I am looking forward to handing her on to the next owners and helping them enjoy it as much as I have.'

Built by Belliard Creighton for the Belgian government in 1956, the product of two years planning and designing and two years construction to the highest specifications, the 36m vessel was originally built for coastal patrols and rescues in the treacherous North Sea.

Intended as an ice breaker, her engineering is second to none. 'This is the boat you want to come rescue you if you’re in trouble anywhere at sea,' says Tomlinson. 'I’ve taken on 20ft waves in this and she hasn’t missed a beat.'

He continues: 'She has saved many ships and lives during her earlier life as the Belgium government’s ice-breaking rescue tug. I found her 13 years ago in the Caribbean and brought her back to Australia. Since then, we have created the perfect ‘get away from it all’ platform.

Flamingo Bay has travelled through much of the South Pacific over the past 13 years: Tahiti, Fiji, Vanuatu, the Solomon Islands, Pago Pago.

RV Flamingo Bay is renowned for taking large groups almost anywhere and then staying on location for the duration required.

Nearly 37-metres in length, this long-range explorer caters for groups of 8 to10 while sleeping 20 all up in 11 cabins. Fully air conditioned, diesel / electric power, water maker, plenty of electricity, diving compressor, crane and helipad facilities onboard.

She is a mixture of old world charm and modern technology, big, tough, stable and a stand out where ever she goes. The perfect mother-ship, dive platform, scientific platform, research, training, resupply, surfing safaris, exploration, eco charters, TV and Film productions or your own maritime office. The editing suite also doubles as a surveying room for geographical projects, laundry facilities, commercial galley/kitchen plus cool room and freezers.

'The new owners will be investing in a new lifestyle and an income-producing vessel. She has another 50 years left in her at least. I have invested millions in her, so the new owners will enjoy the benefits of that investment.'

All enquiries to Ian Swan, Swan Super Lines. Tel: 0416 110 466.

More information www.swansuperlines.com