AWARDS 2024 | Best Harbour Launch – Giles S – Global Marine Design
An economical, safe, ”nippy” and versatile aluminium launch for dredger support in Australia’s fast growing Port of Brisbane, the outboard-powered Giles S can quickly deliver supplies and personnel throughout the port’s extensive area.
It’s a simple, light boat with full, rigid foam floatation, that can be readily craned aboard its mother dredgers if required. It has been constructed so that its petrol (gasoline) fuelled motors can be upgraded to diesels if required.
“The boat features Global Marine Design’s (GMD) unique ‘cathedral’ hull, which ensures excellent dynamic stability and seakeeping,” Jayden Mair, Managing Director at GMD, told Baird Maritime. “Feedback from Port of Brisbane is that the vessel ‘punches above its weight’, which is perfect considering the limited dimensions we had to work with.
“It is also the first boat in its series to be built with level flotation buoyancy fitted, which was another requirement of the operator.”
Mair explained that, as with many small vessels, allocating space for crew, passengers, fuel, deck cargo and stores while maintaining suitable trim and stability compliance proved challenging with Giles S, particularly when the boat’s wide bulwarks are foam-filled for level flotation.
“Through multiple discussions with the port and the builder, we arrived at a sensible arrangement that will serve the port for years to come.
"This being GMD’s first design project with Port of Brisbane and the builder, we’ve taken the time to learn how these organisations operate as well as requirement and detail preferences that can be applied to future projects."
In Mair’s view, the advent of 3D naval architecture software has resulted in a growing number of shipyards being forced to depend on inadequate design drawing packages.
“The software can make it very easy to produce large ‘pretty’ drawing packages that are lacking in dimensions, annotation and assembly instructions, which give the drawings limited use on the workshop floor.
"We’ve been making a concerted effort to use 3D structure models to supplement a detailed 2D drawing set, which has had great results with our clients.”
Mair said there is also a growing desire for vessel autonomy and electric/hybrid propulsion, and that Australia seems to be lagging behind other countries in terms of regulation, promotion, and updating of the requisite technologies.
“As for the harbour craft industry, we view it as a suitable entry point for those wishing to ease into decarbonisation,” Mair told Baird Maritime. “These vessels tend to have lower endurance requirements and better availability for charging points.
"Singapore’s Maritime and Port Authority is a perfect example of this, and we can only hope that Australia will follow suit with similar government initiatives to help reduce marine industry emissions."
For a list of the 2024 "Best Of" award winners, please click here.
