Dampier Angel

Dongara Marine secured this new vessel construction project through a competitive bidding process run by the Western Australian Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) in the final quarter of 2021.

The seven metre long RIB is a close sister vessel to Bay Watch, delivered in late 2021. Like that vessel it has an aluminium hull, foam filled collar, and carbon fibre hardtop sheltering a semi-enclosed helm position. In addition to the hardtop, the command area is protected by a half height wrap-around windscreen and side-structure that extends well aft of the console. Clears are installed to enclose the area between the windscreen and hardtop when conditions require.

Shockwave suspension seats are provided for helmsperson and navigator facing the customised helm console, with a central opening providing access into the forward cabin which is primarily used for stowage but also houses a small refrigerator. A deck hatch forward gives access to the foredeck, anchor locker and forward Samson post.

Dampier Angel is in AMSA NSCV 2C survey for two crew and four special persons, with additional seating provided on a bench seat aft, which has stowage below. This seat folds up to provide easier access to the central tow post, outboard well, and battery compartments. Rescue zones, with lower gunwale heights and lift out handrails, are incorporated on each side and fold down ladders are also fitted to enable recovery of persons from the water.

In keeping with Dongara Marine’s custom design and build approach, a number of design and equipment details were varied to meet specifications provided by the volunteers at Marine Rescue Dampier.

The most easily discernible change is in the choice of propulsive power, with twin 175hp Mercury outboards with digital throttle and shift (DTS) fitted in place of the 150hp Yamaha outboards on Bay Watch. This enables the vessel to operate at speeds up to 45 knots.

As is typical of Marine Rescue vessels in Western Australia, a comprehensive package of navigation and communication electronics is fitted. Supplied and installed by Geraldton Marine Electronics, this includes twin Simrad multi-function displays, one with remote control; integrated with a 30nm Simrad HALO+ radar and dual frequency sounder. Also fitted are satellite compass and autopilot, also from Simrad.

For search duties the vessel is fitted with a FLIR M364C gyro-stabilised colour multispectral camera and Sanshin searchlight. Ultra Vision flood and deck lights are also fitted.

During the latter stages of the vessel build Dongara Marine was contracted to build a second, significantly larger RIB for Marine Rescue Dampier.

The Dampier volunteers are one of 37 Marine Rescue WA groups situated along Western Australia’s coastline from Esperance in the south to Kununurra in the north that are managed and funded through DFES. Another two, in Christmas Island and Cocos (Keeling) Islands, are funded and managed by the Commonwealth.

For more information on Volunteer Marine Rescue Western Australia (VMRWA) visit www.vmrwa.org.au or its Facebook page.