New Great Barrier Reef patrol boat ordered

Australia: Queensland’s Department of Environment and Science has ordered an Incat Crowther-designed, 18.6-metre aluminium patrol boat to be built by Norman R Wright and Sons.

The new vessel for the Great Barrier Reef Field Management Program will perform a range of tasks including; marine protected area management, island national park management, compliance operations, incident response, diving operations, mooring maintenance and research. The vessel will operate throughout the Queensland Coast and Great Barrier Reef waters to the extent of the exclusive economic zone. Much of this vessels work will be in remote areas of the Great Barrier Reef.

The roof includes ample cargo area suitable for up to two 4.5-metre RHIBs, a deck crane and multiple storage boxes, topping off a highly flexible and functional vessel. A deck crane allows the loading of cargo onto the roof, as well as answering the call for both on-board RHIBs to be launched and recovered easily and safely.

The vessel will be powered by twin MAN i6-850 main engines driving fixed-pitch propellers through ZF V-drive gearboxes. She will have a service speed of 20 knots. The vessel is designed to be autonomous for up to 10 days at sea with a 500 nautical mile range.