On 26 May 1997 Pitcairn Island issued a MS for the Fiftieth Anniversary of the South Pacific Commission. The region served by the Commission is more than 30 million sq km of which 98 percent is ocean. Only 500 of the 7,500 islands in the region are inhabited with populations ranging from Pitcairn’s 50 people to the 4.2 million in Papua New Guinea.
It is with fishery research that the commission most recently provided assistance to Pitcairn. The results of the survey was a disappointment to Pitcairn as for some time, it was hoped waters around the Island would provide the basis for a commercially viable and sustainable fishery. The remoteness of the island is illustrated by the fact that in 1996 only 27 yachts, 47 ships and three tugboats called there. Some of the ships were regular callers, so 47 represent the number of calls rather than the number of ships.
The MS depict two ships who I believe took part in the fish research around Pitcairn, both are from New Zealand, but all my research did not find much more as given in Watercraft Philately for the DAVID BAKER but of the MACLACHLAN I found only that she is fishing from the Southern Island Bluff region of New Zealand., more info welcome on this vessel.
Built as a tuna clipper in 1975 by K.K.Tago Zosensho yard in Nishi-izu, Japan.
Launched as SHINKO MARU No 26.
Tonnage 108 grt, 32 net, dim ? x 5.20 x 1.62m.
Powered by an Akasaka oil engine, 330 bhp.
1984 Sold to Harold Gordon & Helen Mildred Cave in Nelson, New Zealand. Renamed in DAVID BAKER.
2010 In service, IMO No 8728373.
Pitcairn Island 1997 2x $2.50 MSsg?, scott464a and464b
Source: Watercraft Philately 44 page 8.