Cairns Premier Reef & Island Tours “greening” the Great Barrier Reef

MARCH 2024 

Taryn and Perry’s combined love of the ocean means care for the environment is always at the heart of their operations. Already operating a 16M sailing vessel “Ocean Free” with minimal carbon footprint and “Ocean Freedom”- a fast 20M catamaran with just 3 hrs engine usage in any full day tour, their vision, since 2019, was to not only further enhance their guest’s experience but search and research innovative and practical cleaner energy solutions for the Great Barrier Reef.

This long-researched journey led them to their next generation vessel a 24M Electric-Hybrid Eco Catamaran. This project has already been 4 years since the concept with a few hurdles already  navigated through due to the application of new technology in a commercial arena, but their dedication and commitment to this project remains unwavered. Working  with Volvo Penta , supported by Suncorp Bank and local build by BME NQ – the new build is about to start- stay tuned!

‘As part of our ongoing journey to protect the environment and the Great Barrier Reef, we have been looking at alternatives to diesel power for many years,’ Taryn says.

‘You can forever wait for the next best thing, but we strongly felt that the next chapter in our sustainable and responsible tourism journey had to be a “greener” vessel.’

October 18^th 2022 Press release

OCEAN FREE & OCEAN FREEDOM – CAIRNS PREMIER GREAT BARRIER REEF & ISLAND TOURS WORKING WITH VOLVO PENTA TO PRESENT A FIRST FOR GREAT BARRIER REEF TOURISM

Hybrid-Electric Powered 24M Catamaran Eco Great Barrier Reef Experience

Local, family owned and operated, Cairns Premier Great Barrier Reef & Island Tours to build the first electric hybrid commercial Eco Catamaran operating to the Great Barrier Reef, as part of Volva Penta’s pilot project as a first step in the evolution of achieving cleaner energy solutions for Great Barrier Reef Tourism with enhanced passenger experience.

For almost three decades, owners Perry Jones and Taryn Agius, continue to operate two boutique-style, guest-oriented Great Barrier Tours in Cairns – their 16M sailing schooner “Ocean Free” and their 20M Motor Catamaran “Ocean Freedom”, and have been researching cleaner energy solutions for the last 10 years.

They are very excited to be working on this new build with Volvo Penta who are keen to innovate products that meet the requirements for customer success, people, environment and others before moving towards serial production.

This project demonstrates the serious commitment of Cairns Premier Great Barrier Reef & Island Tours and Volvo Penta to strive to find cleaner energy solutions whilst still maintaining the operational requirements and passenger experience required for a successful Great Barrier Reef tour.

OCEAN FREEDOM                                                  OCEAN FREE                                           XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX