Our Legacy
Generations of Maritime Excellence
Generations of Maritime Excellence
Maiden Voyage Industries is not just a company; it's the continuation of a proud South African legacy. According to a newspaper article written in the 1960s, Maritime Industries—owned by Henry Swanepoel's grandfather—had built the largest fibreglass vessels in the world at the time, in Paarden Island, Cape Town, South Africa.
Endeavoring to follow in his grandfather's footsteps, Maiden Voyage Industries was founded in 2017 by Henry Swanepoel Jnr. After obtaining a Mechanical Engineering degree from the University of Pretoria, Henry ventured to explore the seas of the USA and Europe, working on the world's most luxurious super-yachts. He then enrolled at the Lloyds Maritime Academy to obtain a certificate in Naval Architecture.
Henry decided to return to South Africa to pursue a lifelong dream of designing and manufacturing sport-fishing vessels with the vision of developing a marine innovation company. Today, he combines traditional craftsmanship with cutting-edge engineering to create the Invicta range.
Every line, curve, and component has a reason. We don't follow trends; we solve problems for the serious mariner.
Embracing technology like CFD and advanced composites to push the boundaries of what a 30ft vessel can do.
No compromises. From the structural grid to the upholstery stitching, excellence is our baseline.
"Invicta"
A Latin word meaning "undefeated" or "unconquered"
This name embodies our design philosophy: vessels built to withstand the harshest conditions that fishermen encounter in and around the "Cape of Storms". Every Invicta is engineered to remain undefeated by the elements, giving you confidence to venture further and return safely.
The roots of MVI Marine stretch back decades through the Swanepoel family's dedication to naval excellence
In the nineteen-sixties, Henry's grandfather brought fibreglass construction to South Africa through Maritime Industries, based in Paarden Island, Cape Town. Historical records from that era document vessels of unprecedented scale—among the largest fibreglass-built craft in the world at the time.
The family's reputation was forged through vessels like the Benguela Stroom, Cleopatra, and Triton—robust commercial and recreational craft that exemplified South African innovation during a transformative period in marine construction.
This pioneering work set a standard for durability and craftsmanship that resonates through every Invicta vessel built today.
Archival records and historical documentation preserve the story of Maritime Industries' impact on South Africa's boatbuilding landscape. These vessels weren't merely commercial products—they represented a family's commitment to pushing the boundaries of what was possible with composite materials.
The tradition of rigorous engineering, meticulous craftsmanship, and relentless quality control that defined Maritime Industries in its heyday remains the cornerstone of how MVI Marine approaches every build.
"The largest fibreglass vessels in the world"—a testament to ambition and capability that continues to inspire three generations later.
Combining traditional craftsmanship with modern naval architecture to create the Invicta range
Every Invicta is built with the same dedication to excellence that has defined the Swanepoel family's work for generations. We don't cut corners. We don't compromise on materials. We build boats that we would trust our own families on.
Proudly designed and manufactured in South Africa's maritime capital.
Building on a family legacy of world-class fibreglass boat construction since the 1960s.
CFD-optimized hull design combined with traditional craftsmanship.