During the formation period of our limited partnership, while the 150 membership shares are being bought, the PTV vessel is undergoing its transformation into a sportfishing mother ship. The majority of this work is taking place in a shipyard in Louisiana.

Key projects include:

• 20 ton capacity refrigerated water holding tank for sashimi-grade tuna

• live bait tanks and fish holding tanks

• 40 ton deep freezer

• fish processing facility

• on-board fishing equipment (downriggers, etc.)

• hoist and cradles for our four 24' fishing skiffs

• remodel all 15 members' staterooms, plus crew quarters

• remodel members' lounge area, galley and mess hall

• renew electrical and plumbing as necessary

• rebuild pumps and generators as needed

• engineering facilities for maintenance, repair and spare parts

• paint the vessel

• As of October 1st 2007 all work has been completed. See Current Status and Vessel Pictures
  

Once all of our refitting projects are completed, the vessel departs the Gulf Coast, transits the Panama Canal and sails to La Paz, Baja Sur. At this Mexican port we obtain the necessary paperwork and permits allowing us to operate the vessel in Mexican waters, through and under our Mexican Corporation.

The vessel is to be reregistered under the flag of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, which is under a "Compact of Free Association" with the United States.

As lifetime members of PTV, you get to enjoy a rich variety of ocean fishing adventures, all based aboard the familiar, dependable and comfortable PTV mother ship. Every few months, the PTV vessel shift its operations between three distinctly different regions of the Pacific Ocean to take advantage of choicest fishing seasons. Members can choose to experience the best fishing in the Eastern Tropical Pacific near Mexico, in the waters near Hawaii, or out in the Central Pacific near the Marshall Islands.

While on the fishing grounds, members can choose to go out on one of our fully equipped skiffs, fishing for giant tuna or billfish with rod and reel. Others can fish from the deck of the ship, or even from the "racks" with pole and line and a barbless feathered hook with the tuna churning the water at your feet, a form of fishing seldom seen or practiced today.

Mexico

PTV operates in the Eastern Tropical Pacific for about 6 months each year, from March or April until August or September. During this time, the vessel is based at Puerto San Carlos, Bahia Magdalena, Baja California Sur, Mexico. Members join the vessel for their fishing trips either at Magdalena Bay, La Paz, or Los Angeles.

250lbs Yellowfin Tuna caught south of Magdalena Bay, Southern Baja California, Mexico

Most fishing trips in this region are from 5 to 14 days and visit the waters around Guadalupe Is., Alijos Rocks, eastern end of the Clarion Fracture, along the Baja Edge from Cabo to San Quentin, and occasionally the Revillagigedo, Socorro and Clarion Islands. Extended trips of 10 to 20 days are also made to choice locations along the western coast of Mexico and southwest to Clipperton.

Note: Our fishing schedules and resource areas may vary in order to optimize fishing activity for the enjoyment of our membership and to take advantage of market opportunities.

Recently, a meeting was held in La Paz, B.C.S., between our Mexican Attorney, Pesca Federales and Pacific Tuna representatives concerning our future permits and special licenses. At this point in time, it appears that our vessel, due to the unique operational format and the infrastructure of our Mexican Corporation, will be allowed to operate and fish in certain waters presently restricted to most vessels.

Marshall Islands

After departing the Eastern Tropical Pacific (August or September), the vessel spends about 3-4 months fishing the waters of the Marshall Islands. This is an area where the giant bigeye, yellowfin, swordfish and even marlin still abound in large numbers. During this time, our vessel navigates these islands to fish off of those that have exceptional and known resources of not only tuna, but Wahoo and many other prized species. The diversity of scenery and fishing action makes each trip in this region an "adventure of a lifetime", that you get to enjoy over and over again.

Each trip is comparatively short, mostly 7 to 10 days. Majuro, the capitol of the Marshall Islands, is our port of entry and exit. All members join the vessel at Majuro for their appointed fishing trips.

On each fishing trip within the Marshall Islands, our member sports fishermen have the opportunity to spend some time on various island atolls, fishing and exploring the reefs and lagoons. You can even experience the thrill of catching the local spiny lobsters, picking them up by hand off the reefs. Those so inclined may bring scuba gear and dive the lagoons to explore the corals and marine life, and do some fabulous underwater photography. The lagoons of the Marshall Islands are noted for their pristine environment and crystal clear waters.

Hawaii

Some time around December or January each year, the bigeye tuna arrive at the seasonal fishing grounds south-southwest of Hilo, Hawaii. The PTV vessel travels there and stays for a couple months to take advantage of this amazing action. The marlin catch is also exceptionally good during this period, within the same area.

Our sportfishing members join us for their fishing trips at Hilo, from where the vessel makes 10 to 12 day trips while operating in this area.

Air transportation is quite good into and out of La Paz, Mexico (for Magdalena Bay); Hilo, Hawaii; and Majuro, Marshall Islands. Each has at least daily flights to and from LAX. These cities, as well as Puerto San Carlos on Magdalena Bay, have very nice hotels and restaurants.

Note: We are negotiating with Aloha Airlines for substantial airfare discounts between Hilo, Hawaii and both LAX and Majuro, Marshall Islands. Both Aloha and Hawaiian Airlines are very interested in working with us. And don't forget, your quarterly dividends will help defray most, if not all, of your travel expenses to and from our ports of embarkation.

We do not foresee any serious hassles for our member/partners while joining or departing the vessel at any of our operational ports. Members may need to stay in or near the port at most one night prior to embarkation and/or one night after disembarkation, depending on trip start/end times.

Trip schedules are established well enough in advance for members to make travel arrangements. All trip scheduling plus reservations for air travel and hotels (if necessary) can be arranged directly through our own office aboard the vessel. Our vessel incorporates a worldwide communication system, to which members have access around the clock while aboard the vessel.

Please continue reading about the available levels of PTV Participation.