The 13.5-metre “Southern Star” was a project 12 months in the making for Southern Star Aquaculture.

The aquaculture company owns one of two kingfish farms that operate in Fitzgerald Bay, Whyalla.

Southern Star Aquaculture director Lyndon Giles said the new boat would join three others in the company's fleet in Whyalla.

Mr Giles said Southern Star was specially designed to work on kingfish farms; features include a wider, flush deck and a setup appropriate for harvest and net changing.

Ceduna Steel Fabrications built the boat, and Neville Betts from the business said the project “certainly was a challenge”.

Southern Star was transported by truck to the Lincoln Cove marina and was craned into the water.

It was due to conduct sea trials for three days, before going to Whyalla to start work on the kingfish farm.