Damien and Jessica document the transformation of a former fishing trawler in Project Brupeg.
This profile covers earlier videos, boats and journeys. For current voyages and crew updates, refer to the creator’s latest posts.
In this article
People and background
Damien Ashdown
Jessica Ashdown
Both are from New Zealand with Damien having a background in mechanics and engine reconditioning.
Snoop is the name of their dog who sadly passed away in early 2023. He is sadly missed by many fans, including myself. They now have a cat, known simply as Baby Cat.
Their friend Michael Nelson sometimes helps out with the project, plus an additional crew member who help to do small jobs along the way.
Carlos is their newest crew member to join. He came all the way from Hawaii to cook, clean and help finish off Brupeg!
Boats and projects
The boats below are part of the channel’s earlier story; ownership and equipment may have changed since those episodes.
Boat details
Brupeg was a custom-built fishing trawler that served the town of Bundaberg and beyond.
It sank during the Burnett River floods of 2013 near Bundaberg. This is the same flood that affected Brisbane and parts of the Sunshine Coast.
It was almost a year later that Damien and Jess came across this boat that was ready for salvage, and it was love at first sight!
They’ll eventually use this as a non-for-profit expedition boat for diving, surfing and spearfishing. Additionally, they’ll be heading into colder climates and pushing through ice.
The best part? You too may have an opportunity to join them on the vessel.
And interestingly, despite the size of their vessel, it’ll only have 2 small bedrooms.
Refits and equipment
There are a ton of upgrades to be done. Some of their notable specs include:
- 27,000+ liters of fuel across 10 tanks
- Able to run on vegetable oil
- Dedicated media room for editing documentaries
- A 350hp engine that can burn up to 63L per hour (crazy!)
- Ice plating steel that’s 8mm thick
This project is definitely costing them a small fortune, but it’s worth it.
Journeys and notable episodes
Places in the story
These locations refer to earlier episodes, not a live position.
Their boatyard is in Burnett Heads near Bundaberg, Queensland. I’ve chosen to keep the details private to protect their privacy, although you can often figure it out with their drone footage.
This is one of their more recent episodes:
Collaborations
Over the last 4 years, I haven’t seen them collab with any other popular YouTubers.
However, there are some channels that are as dedicated as them.
If you’re into massive boat restoration projects, then check out:
The earlier episodes of Sailing Uma are excellent too if you’re looking for a smaller boat project.
Notable episodes
Things haven’t been easy over these last 4 years, but they have persisted against all odds.
Notable incidents include:
- Discovering rust inside their main engine
- Damian had Appendix surgery
- The front fell off their boat
- Jess is temporary with some knee problems
- The tragic loss of their dog
Once they do get cruising, they’ll realize the risks were worth it.
Frequently asked questions
Which boat names appear in the story?
M/V Brupeg
The name ‘Brupeg’ comes from the names of the original owners, Bruce and Peggy. They originally built it as a prawl trawler.
Is there a verified net-worth figure?
No verified financial disclosure is cited in this profile. The earlier estimate has been removed because a boat’s value, video views and assumed income do not establish someone’s net worth.
