motor yacht, which was designed and built by its owners, Mr. Beau Evans and Mr. Stephen McKey. A quality crafted vessel, Coral Sea is used to operate Coral Sea Cruises, a new company formed by partners, Mr. Evans and Mr. McKey, who said they built the boat especially for glass bottom boat excursions and private charters. The idea came to them while away on holiday in the Bahamas.

Said Mr. Evans: "I built the Looking Glass boat back in 1981 and I built the ( Enterprise ) submarine so I've had a lot of experience with boats. Also, Stephen's been in the boat business for a long time and he used to work for me on the Looking Glass . We've been friends ever since. And when we were in the Bahamas, we reckoned we could design, build and finance a boat.'' The pair spent long hours designing the Coral Sea . "A lot of thinking went into it.

We wanted a boat that would prove seaworthy with a short draught enabling us to get close to the coral reefs,'' said Mr. Evans, adding that including the propeller, the boat only draws two-and-a-half feet. "The essence of the design was getting that balance and creating a boat that is very seaworthy with an absolute minimum draught.'' Mr. Evans and Mr. McKey started building the boat in the beginning of October last year. First came the lofting process, said Mr. Evans, which was carried out by the architectural firm, Bath Richard Associates. Once the duo had the plans lofted, which provided them with an enlargement of the design of the boat barring all inaccuracies, they set about building a mould. "We bought the lumber from SAL and had the mould completed within two-and-a-half weeks,'' said Mr. McKey. "Next we took core and laid it over the mould so it took the mould's exact shape. And then it was time to start fibreglassing,'' he said, adding that they were very fortunate to have fibreglass expert Mr. Peter Rego come in and direct them in the process. Once the lay-up of the fibreglass was completed, the boat was turned over and the mould was taken out of the hull. Mr. Evans and Mr. McKey worked together on everything until this phase, when Mr. Evans began building the superstructure and Mr. McKey started work on the mechanics. Said Mr. Evans: "It was my job to create the superstructure -- that includes everything from the deck up. And Stephen installed all of the electricity and plumbing -- he took over the engine side of things.'' He added: "We both had people to help us. In fact, with each aspect of building the boat, we brought in the best and most knowledgeable people to assist us. And we had a lot of help from our friends. "But we worked 16 hours a day for seven months and ten days until the boat was launched on May 13 this year,'' he said. Designed specifically for glass bottom work by people who know and run the business, the Coral Sea is perfectly designed for the purposes of Coral Sea Cruises. The boat, which is 18-feet wide, is roomy enough to fit 100 people on-board comfortably.

Upstairs, which is equipped with over 50 deck chairs, guests can sit in the shade under the forward bimini, or they can enjoy the sunshine to the stern.

Stairs on both sides of the aft deck lead down to the lower level, which is outfitted with large glass windows set in aluminium, at the fore and on either side of the boat, allowing for maximum outdoor viewing pleasure. Running through the middle of the lower deck are the glass bottom stations. Said Mr.

McKey: "The glass bottoms are covered -- when not in use -- by hatches, which are easily opened and closed. "It's a glass bottom boat, but if we have private parties on-board, we just cover up the glass bottom and people don't even know it exists,'' he said. Clean and spacious, the interior is furnished with chairs alongside the gunnel for comfortable seating. And a half-moon-shaped bar on the port side is conveniently placed for social gatherings. There are two heads in the fore and what will soon be a galley in the aft. As well, a stellar stereo system is hooked up to speakers, which are placed in the corners of both the fore and aft top and bottom levels of the boat. AT THE HELM -- (From left) crew member Ms Chloe McKey and Coral Sea partners, Mr. Beau Evans and Mr. Stephen McKey provide passengers with a fun-filled and educational cruise.

BUILDING BOATS -- The Coral Sea is pictured here in its beginning stages. The hull is being turned over so the mould can be removed. Following this step came the careful fibreglassing process.

GOING OVER -- The Coral Sea pictured in St. George's boatyard before being launched for the first time.