PV Pelsaert

One of a long line of fisheries patrol boats designed by Southerly Designs for Western Australian government agencies, PV Pelsaert was specifically acquired, designed, and built to operate in the shallow waters of the Abrolhos Islands group. Its aluminium hull was designed with an inflatable collar and diesel-waterjet propulsion for speed and shallow draft capability.

Having been operating since 2012 the patrol vessel required an overhaul, which the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) entrusted to Dongara Marine.

The patrol boat arrived in Port Denison in mid-August 2020 before being removed from the water and transported the short distance to our facility. Our staff then began the process of stripping the vessel of existing electronics and other fittings, as well as the existing collar/fender system. During this time the in-house trades also undertook examined the condition of the vessel’s structure and systems in greater detail.

To ensure time out of the water was minimised, the initial focus was on preparing the topsides structure for a completely new foam-filled collar. This included blasting the area, pre-fitting the new collar, and making any fabrication modifications necessary to accommodate it. This enabled the details of the collar and its attachment to be finalised while other work was underway.

Chief among these was a full-repaint of the patrol vessel, with in-house specialists blasting the entire boat before applying primer, high build and then gloss internally and externally. Gunnels were also acid washed and sealed, non-skid applied to decks, and underwater areas antifouled.

Once the painting team was finished, attention turned to resealing windows, installation of the new foam collar, and application of the livery details.

Issues identified during the early inspections were also rectified. These additional items included improving the sound insulation and structural fire protection as well as rectifying some aspects of the electrical system arrangement to bring it into compliance with current AMSA NSCV requirements. As Dongara Marine is a licenced electrical contractor and employs a highly experienced marine electrician, these shortcomings were not only identified but also rectified using in-house resources. Previously stripped electronics and fittings were then re-installed, along with some additional items.

After being relaunched and undergoing acceptance testing and inspections, Pelsaert was delivered back to DPIRD’s Geraldton-based Fisheries officers with the full scope of work, including additional items, completed before the end of October.

NB: Dongara Marine had previously undertaken significant refit and repair projects on DPIRD’s fisheries patrol vessel Houtman (click here for details)