text: Our ambitions for the support of the oil and gas industry now go beyond bases and vessels. Early 
  
  in the current financial year, Mermaid acquired 50% of the OIS MOC Joint Venture Pty Ltd, to 
  
  be paid for by the issue of 800,000 Mermaid shares. OIS MOC owns the highly successful labour 
  
  hire business operated by Kevin Ponga and Rick De Franck. Kevin Ponga is now General 
  
  Manager of Mermaid Labour & Management Pty Limited and Mr De Franck becomes a Director. 
  
  With their reputation and talent added to Mermaid’s experienced team, this labour hire 
  
  company has become a significant force and can be expected to be in the final when major 
  
  labour hire contracts are let. 