Joan J
Fishing catamaran reborn as transfer vessel
Dongara Marine applied our vessel refit and maintenance capabilities to complete the conversion and refit of Joan J, repurposing an existing commercial fishing catamaran into a passenger transfer vessel.
Having previously operated in the crab fishery for many years, the 12.5 metre aluminium catamaran was acquired by maritime logistics provider Odyssey Group in early 2025. It has identified the opportunity to apply innovative thinking to expand its fleet in an environmentally and economically sustainable way.
Working with Dongara Marine, Odyssey developed the scope of works required to convert the vessel to undertake personnel transfer operations. Naval architecture firm Southerly Designs supported this effort with relevant design and engineering work.
The vessel refit and conversion work undertaken by our team of skilled tradespeople and experienced specialist subcontractors included:
- Removal of fishing systems including pot winch and bait and live tanks
- Shorten and reconfigure wheelhouse including moving helm to inside, new windows, addition of air conditioning, fridge, linings, and new crew seats
- Installation of a crew transfer area forward including new hull structure and fendering for push-up operations and all new handrails
- Removal of existing transom extension (used for fishing trap stowage) and new marlin board to extend work deck and create open transom
- Bulwarks modified to include doors on each side aft
- Addition of a toilet compartment on main deck forward
- Addition of tanks for fresh water and sullage
- Main engines removed for refurbishment and later re-installed
- Addition of a genset including new foundations and cooling water supply. New compartment created including new bulkhead, floor, and access stairs
- New fire protection insulation and systems and sound/vibration treatment for machinery spaces
- Full strip-out of electronics and controls including new navigation and communication suite
- Electrical upgrades including addition of shore power and AC switchboard
- Fabrication and installation of canopy to shade aft deck
- Addition of passenger seating on aft deck
- New flush-mount hatches in aft deck
- Addition of stairs to provide personnel access from aft deck to foredeck
- Full internal and external blast and paint
- Updates as required to change from previous AMSA NSCV 3C to NSCV 1E and 2C survey
- Various repairs to hull structure
The transformed Joan J became the latest addition to Odyssey’s fleet of specialist vessels operating in Port Hedland, Western Australia in September 2025.
In partnership with Pilbara Ports, the Mission to Seafarers Australia, the Port Hedland Seafarers Centre, and port proponents, Joan J will play a vital role in providing essential ship-to-shore transfer services.
Odyssey is a maritime logistics provider with operations in Port Hedland – the world’s largest bulk export port – as well as Victoria’s premier bulk export port at the Port of Geelong.
Its clients include some of the world’s leading miners, and Port Authorities, shipping agents and tug owners. Odyssey provides and operates pilot boats, hydrographic survey vessels, line boats and crew and cargo transfer vessels. It also provides towage management services, marine infrastructure maintenance and other on and off water logistics services to ensure the continuity of port operations.
“The recent refurbishment, expertly carried out by Dongara Marine in Geraldton, not only strengthens our fleet but also reflects our commitment to sustainability – repurposing an existing commercial fishing vessel into a passenger transfer vessel and investing in smarter, more responsible operations.”
Wesley van der Spuy - Chief Executive Officer – Odyssey Group
