Page 33 - IB April 2023

Boatbuilding in the very central Pacific

with KiriCraft Central Pacific KiriCraft Central Pacific

11m flybridge model
KiriCraft Central Pacific is a high-quality boatbuilding delivered to Brisbane,
factory [covering over 1000sqm] based in the Republic of Australia - 2010.
Kiribati; a small island nation located in the central Pacific
Ocean. Established in 1997 under the name Betiraoi
Boatbuilding (betiraoi means ‘float well’ in Kiribati), it
then evolved into KiriCraft Central Pacific, reflecting
its expanded focus and outreach efforts to encompass 11m power catamaran delivered to Gold Coast, Australia - 2012.
a wider range of communities and cultures within the
region. Since its inception, KiriCraft Central Pacific has
built and delivered/exported 30 crafts of up to 20 metres. 14m sailing catamaran
delivered to Brisbane,
Tetobe II - a 20m passenger/cargo interisland vessel which commenced commercial operations with the Australia - 2011.
The development and success of KiriCraft Central Pacific Kiribati Uniting Church in December 2022. 21m Island Passage
can be attributed to Founder and CEO, Michael Savins. maker - in commercial or
pleasure craft models.
Savins, a professional Australian boatbuilder with over 45
years’ experience, and his hardworking wife, Riteta Savins,
a Kiribati national, both recognised the importance of
preserving and promoting traditional crafting techniques
and skills that had been passed down through generations.
This all began while volunteering in Kiribati, building
new designed outrigger canoes. KiriCraft 11.5m under Crafted and exported from the Republic of Kiribati
construction for delivery
KIRICRAFT 11.5M POWER CATAMARAN • High-finished
In 1985, Savins built the first prototype, a 11m single- MV Saint John - a 12.8m passenger transport canoe with the latest outrigger design to improve safety in this to Brisbane - 2023. • High-quality
FULL FLYBRIDGE A
expanding marine transport sector. MV Saint John commenced commercial operations in December 2022.
outrigger passenger transport canoe – and watched s t 1 5 01/08/22 REVISION • Epoxy composite
it evolve. Since then, the craft has catered for the
transportation demand of the communities of North +686 73027269
and South Tarawa. In 2006, KiriCraft Central Pacific michaelsavins@hotmail.com
built high-finished epoxy composite pleasure crafts, www.kiricraft.com
specifically catamarans, for the Australian market; a total
of 6 high-finished catamarans were exported until the Atoll Beauties
world financial crisis.

With a total of 20 staff [4 of which are women], KiriCraft
Central Pacific also works closely with artisans and
craftsmen from across the country to provide them Giant Clams and Sea
Cucumbers farmed
with a platform to showcase their work and to promote Vacuum-bagging foam cores on an entire side of an 11.5m power catamaran (December 2022).
their skills and traditions. Crafts built range from single- and exported from the EXTERNAL PLAN VIEW
outrigger canoes to power catamarans. Production Republic of Kiribati
materials are sourced from Fiji and Australia, but these • Tridacna maxima
have become costly to obtain, especially with the drastic • Tridacna gigas
increase in freight costs caused by COVID-19. • Hippopus hippopus
• Sandfish: Holothuria
Today’s improved markets for pleasure crafts has very scabra
much set the pace, revamping the industry in Kiribati to
manufacture and export more. KiriCraft Central Pacific +686 73027269
continues to build a sustainable and thriving craft industry michaelsavins@hotmail.com
that celebrates the rich cultural heritage of the region. At www.kiribaticlams.com
present, it exports only to Australia and hopes to become
a viable export industry in the Republic of Kiribati with a
name for quality – while providing secure and long-term In the assembly stage, solid laminate round bilge in the water hull shoes will be secondary bonded with the
employment opportunities for the island nation. superior qualities of epoxy laminates. The various component molds allow impressive build times for these
high value crafts (February 2023).
Islands Business, April 2023 33