Sachal

27/02/2026

Sachal Shipyard is looking for a qualified Fitter & Turner to join our team!
We’re looking for someone who takes pride in quality workmanship and enjoys practical problem-solving.

📍 Based in Vredenburg
📧 Send your CV to: [email protected]

📅 Applications close: 20 March 2026

Please share — the right person may be in your network!

24/02/2026

Moving 86 feet of precision engineering requires expertise.

The abnormal transport of our latest Purse Seiner was handled by our trusted partner, Tembo Heavy Lifting & Transportation , specialists in heavy and abnormal load transport.

We value partnerships that share our commitment to precision and professionalism, because protecting your investment during every stage of the build process matters.

Thank you to Tembo HLT for another seamless operation.

12/02/2026

An extraordinary sight on the road.

Our latest 86ft Purse Seiner has officially begun her journey from our shipyard to the launch facility on the 2nd of February, a transport that turned heads and demonstrated the sheer scale of this build.

At Sachal Shipyard, we specialize in high-performance composite fishing vessels built for durability, efficiency, and commercial reliability. This 86ft platform represents months of precision engineering, advanced composites, and disciplined project ex*****on.

Transporting a vessel of this magnitude is no small feat, and it’s a powerful reminder of what South African shipbuilding is capable of delivering.

09/02/2026

🏆 Award-Winning Build! 🏆

We’re proud to announce that Tightline has won the 2025 International “Best Tuna Pole Vessel” award from Baird Maritime and Workboat world – in recognition of the vessel’s design and construction.

This award specifically celebrates the build of the vessel, including:
🔹 Hull design and seakeeping
🔹 Deck layout and working efficiency
🔹 Safety, comfort, and crew ergonomics
🔹 Quality of workmanship and engineering detail

A huge thank you to our partners, suppliers, and of course our incredible yard team who turned the ideas and dreams into a world-class tuna pole vessel.
We’re honored that Tightline has been recognised on the international stage and look forward to delivering many more vessels to this standard.
Furuno by Taylor Marine South Africa
Furuno Marine Electronics
Petec Services
Peninsula Power Products
Moteurs Baudouin
BITZER
International Pole & Line Foundation

AWARDS 2025: "'Tightline' stands out as a remarkable bespoke tuna pole-and-line vessel, crafted by South Africa's Sachal Shipyard for the demanding coastal and offshore waters of the region. Measuring a compact 14.5 metres in length with a five-metre beam and under 25 gross tonnes, this Category A-rated craft maximises capability while staying within regulatory limits that keep manning costs low.

"It features full live-bait capability, with three of six insulated fish tanks equipped with circulation systems and lighting to preserve live bait, enabling extended operations in remote tuna grounds where larger, costlier vessels traditionally dominate."

https://tinyurl.com/2zv9jasj

05/02/2026

CREATIVITY has been launched , what a beautiful sight. Thank you Robert Gortmaker for taking the drone footage

14/01/2026

Proud to see Santa Maria, our recently launched tuna pole vessel, featured in a review by Baird Maritime.
This project reflects Sachal Shipyard’s continued focus on purpose-built design, robust composite construction, and vessels engineered for reliable performance in demanding fisheries operations.
Well done to our team and partners on another successful delivery.

VESSEL REVIEW: Sachal Shipyard has completed construction of a new tuna pole fishing and baiting vessel for operation in South Africa’s coastal and offshore waters.

The 14.5-metre (47.6-foot) 'Santa Maria' is a tuna pole vessel intended to operate all around the coast of South Africa. Her typical duties include searching for and tracking tuna schools, catching and maintaining live bait, and conducting intensive pole-and-line fishing operations over extended periods.

The vessel is designed to cope with the often demanding sea and weather conditions associated with offshore tuna fisheries while allowing the crew to work efficiently, safely, and in reasonable comfort.

https://tinyurl.com/3p4sda7p

06/01/2026

Santa Maria - a 15m Tuna Pole fishing vessel designed and built by Sachal Shipyard.

These images capture Santa Maria operating at sea, where her clean lines, balanced proportions, and purposeful design truly come into their own. Built using advanced composite construction, she is engineered for durability, efficiency, and consistent performance in demanding commercial fishing conditions.

A strong example of practical design meeting proven craftsmanship.

12/12/2025

Built for Performance. Designed for Profitability.

We’re proud to showcase this 15-meter tuna fishing vessel, expertly built by Sachal Shipyard. South Africa’s oldest and most trusted composite boat builder.

Designed for commercial tuna operations, this vessel delivers:
✔️ Durable, lightweight composite construction
✔️ Optimized fuel efficiency and seakeeping
✔️ A robust, practical layout for demanding offshore work
✔️ Proven craftsmanship refined over decades

Every Sachal vessel is an investment in operational reliability, reduced lifecycle costs, and long-term productivity at sea. From design through sea trials, our in-house team ensures each build meets the highest standards of quality, safety, and performance.

If you’re looking to modernize your fleet with a vessel that works as hard as you do. Build with confidence, build with Sachal.

11/12/2025

As South Africa’s oldest shipyard, we take pride in combining heritage with modern engineering to deliver durable, high-performance vessels built for real-world operations.

VESSEL REVIEW: Sachal Shipyard in South Africa recently completed construction of a new tuna fishing vessel.

The 14.5- by five-metre (47.6- by 16-foot) 'Tightline' is a category A-rated tuna pole vessel intended to operate all around the coast of South Africa, including offshore tuna grounds.

This vessel is based on Sachal Shipyard’s earlier series of 15-metre tuna pole fishing vessels, with Tightline representing the latest evolution in the design. According to Sachal Shipyard Manager Nic Stevens, each newbuild in the range focused on improving efficiency, performance, catch quality and crew comfort, while also accommodating the specific operational requirements of each owner.

https://tinyurl.com/mtdbhwkf

02/12/2025

Compact Size. Massive Capability.
This 15m dredging vessel shows exactly what happens when smart engineering meets real-world performance.

Featuring a Damen DOP200 moving 800 m³/h of slurry, deployed through a moonpool and stabilized with Scantrol Active Heave Compensation, this vessel delivers consistent productivity even in rough conditions.

Built on Sachal Shipyard’s renowned 15m platform, it offers:
✅ Exceptional seakeeping
✅ Fuel-efficient operations
✅ Low running costs
✅ Capability far beyond its size

For businesses investing in reliable, high-value workboats — this is compact dredging done right. Dredging Today Damen Scantrol

24/11/2025

Precision-built for performance.
Engineered for the demands of the open ocean.
Crafted to support one of the world’s most challenging and respected fisheries.

This Sachal tuna-fishing vessel represents the pinnacle of composite craftsmanship — delivering strength, efficiency, and reliability where it matters most. As South Africa’s oldest shipyard, we’ve spent decades refining vessels that help fishing operations improve productivity, reduce fuel consumption, and withstand the toughest conditions at sea.

For operators in the tuna fleet, a vessel isn’t just a boat, it’s the backbone of the business. And that’s why every Sachal build is designed with durability, stability, and smart systems integration at its core.

Built for long days. Built for heavy loads. Built for results.
Sachal Shipyard, Elevating the future of tuna fishing.

18/11/2025

Santa Maria’s wheelhouse is officially alive.
Wall-to-wall Furuno glass, ICOM radios dialed in, and not a wire out of place.
This is what a proper command center looks like.