Geraldton’s Master Class being repowered and refitted
In October 2021 Dongara Marine was awarded a contract to undertake a significant upgrade on Central Regional TAFE's Maritime Training Vessel Master Class. This followed an open tender process run by Western Australia's Department of Finance on behalf of the Department of Training and Workforce Development. Conduct of the upgrade has been timed to minimise disruption to the TAFE's activities and is currently underway.
With our long association with the maritime industry here in the Mid West, including the commercial fishing fleets, Dongara Marine is very pleased to be leading the upgrade. It enables us to contribute to the development of the region’s maritime workforce by providing Central Regional TAFE with a significantly enhanced training platform.
Further benefits are passing into the region's industry though our use of local suppliers and subcontractors. In this case significant work packages are being undertaken by Geraldton Marine Electronics and Pages Electrical.
Our new facility on the Geraldton waterfront has made undertaking refit and upgrade projects such as this far more viable and efficient for clients.
The Minister for Training, Simone McGurk, made an announcement regarding the project on 17 January 2023. The official statement is as follows:
Work has started on a major overhaul of Central Regional TAFE's maritime training vessel, with a $2 million refurbishment to ensure students have a first-class industry standard learning environment.
The floating specialist classroom - usually moored in Geraldton's Fishing Boat Harbour - has been dry-docked as the ageing vessel is upgraded, including new engines, gear boxes, hydraulic system, electrics, air-conditioning and navigational systems.
The tender was awarded to local boat builder Dongara Marine.
The vessel is used to deliver maritime-related training through Central Regional TAFE's Batavia Coast Maritime Institute in fishing boat operations, boating services, and marine engine drivers.
It also supports on-water activities for components of other training programs such as aquaculture, tourism, coastal conservation, and land management in the region.
Students are expected to be training on the newly updated vessel in May 2023.
The $2 million project is part of the McGowan Government's record $215.8 million investment in TAFE capital works projects, upgrading TAFE campuses across Western Australia.
Comments attributed to Training Minister Simone McGurk:
"The maritime industry is vital to Geraldton and the entire Batavia Coast, and this upgrade will directly support these employers by providing skilled workers with contemporary and industry relevant skills.
"Importantly, this $2 million upgrade will boost opportunities for people in the Mid-West region to train and work locally.
"The revamped floating classroom will deliver a first class training environment that will benefit the local maritime industry for many years to come."
Comments attributed to Geraldton MLA Lara Dalton:
"Central Regional TAFE's maritime training vessel 'Master Class' is an integral training and assessment tool for many of the training courses and qualifications that the college offers.
"I've seen firsthand how important it is for the students to have hands-on experience in an industry simulated environment, and the training vessel ensures students are exposed to the most up to date and industry relevant equipment and real-life scenarios, so they are better prepared and work ready for future employment opportunities.
"It's fantastic to see local boat builders Dongara Marine be awarded the tender - a win for training and economic development in the regions."
