From poling tuna the “old way” to enjoying freshly prepared tuna sushimi at sea, 20 guests aboard the visiting luxury adventure tourism vessel True North II enjoyed a unique Port Lincoln experience last week.
The historic 1950s tuna clipper and members of its Tacoma Preservation Society (TPS) welcomed passengers and crew onboard in Spalding Cove as part of True North II’s overnight visit to the city.
TPS media coordinator, Ian Doyle OAM, said the society was honoured to be given the opportunity.
“We were delighted to showcase tuna, talk about the history of the tuna industry, tell the story of the MFV Tacoma and highlight Matthew Flinders’ visit to Spalding Cove in late February and early March 1802,” Mr Doyle said.
“We explained the history of the boat and staged a poling demonstration for them. A couple of crew from True North II happily donned full poling gear, got into a rack and successfully managed to pole Tacoma’s ten kilo demonstration tuna -Tina – aboard.
“It was a great opportunity for all to experience how tuna was wild caught in the 1950s and 60s. Everyone thought it was great fun.”
Fresh Fish Place filleter Simon Baldwin then demonstrated the skill and precision required to prepare a wild caught Tacoma tuna as guests enjoyed sampling his freshly carved sashimi.
Also on offer was hot and cold smoked Tacoma poled tuna produced by the Port Lincoln Smokehouse, and bottled tuna in olive oil.
A reading of excerpts from Matthew Flinders’ diary by former channel seven newsreader and TPS member Jane Doyle OAM was followed by a Matthew Flinders’ adventure, with a volunteer crew using a Flinders’ map to take a tender boat to shore in search for water, as an Investigator crew had done in 1802.
Another highlight was meeting 92-year-old TPS crewmember, world record tuna poler and Tacoma cook Jack Bellamy. He was invited on board True North II during the afternoon and was impressed with the vessel but had one minor complaint.
“She’s a beautiful boat,” Jack said.
“But she doesn’t have an AGA stove in the galley.”
MFV Tacoma skipper and TPS president Ross Haldane said the day had been a roaring success.
“The volunteer-run experience the TPS offers tourists is an authentic, unique and real experience of the maritime and fishing industry history in Port Lincoln,” he said.
“The TPS crew has been working for the past two years to build relationships with smaller cruise boat companies. Our team can provide memorable experiences for small passenger groups like True North’s.
“The crew was an impressive group of young people and they and their guests were really enthusiastic about the day.”
True North’s two vessels relocate from the Kimberley during the monsoon season and offer excursions around Australia, including the coastline of South Australia from Adelaide to Ceduna during summer.
Plans are already underway for the visit next year to Port Lincoln of the larger True North I.
