PV21

This patrol / work boat is based in Fremantle, Western Australia but may be deployed throughout the state. It will be used for marine compliance patrolling purposes and secondary functions including deploying oil containment boom, installing marine signage, small signage buoys and rigging.

Dongara Marine secured the contract through a competitive public tender process run by the Western Australian Department of Transport (DoT) in mid-2021, with the contract awarded in October of the same year.

The request for tender sought the supply and delivery of an enclosed cabin, rigid hull vessel with foam-filled collar and matched trailer, to be jointly utilised by the DoT’s Compliance and Investigations section. The specification also required that the vessel “exhibit strength, excellent stability, performance and durability” and be in NSCV 2C survey for two crew members plus a minimum of four special personnel.

Dongara Marine’s successful offer comprised a design variant of the proven Cape Rose platform along with a custom aluminium trailer manufactured by Duralite Trailers.

The 8.3 metre aluminium RIB design from Southerly Designs had already demonstrated capabilities relevant to the DoT requirements in maritime compliance and educational functions in Marine Rescue service. Those proven capabilities included the ability to operate in adverse sea states off the Western Australian coast, towing capability, equipped to participate in marine rescues and other emergency response, have  the ability to come alongside other vessels without causing damage, and the ability to exceed 40 knots.

The boat also provided a stable work platform at both rest and underway, and a balance of deck space and cabin working area that made it suitable for the wide range of marine operations it was expected to undertake.

Following the tender process, as always, Dongara Marine and Southerly Designs worked to customise the design to the client’s specific requirements. A key design change from Cape Rose is the addition of an aft cabin bulkhead and door making for a full lock-up cabin arrangement.

The cabin area provides Shockwave suspension seats for the helm and one crew position, with additional seating for two special personnel further aft.

Navigation equipment supplied and installed by Geraldton Marine Electronics includes dual 16-inch Simrad multi-function displays (MFD) integrated with the vessel’s radar and dual frequency sounder with depth and structure scan transducers. The electronics were also integrated to enable engine data and diagnostics to be accessed and displayed via the navigation screens.

The communications package included a satellite phone, VHF and 27MHz radios, and a client-supplied police radio. A vessel tracking system was fitted, and there was provision for a laptop to be docked in the main helm / navigation console with display to the crew’s MFD.

The forward cuddy cabin provided storage for survey equipment and crew effects and was fitted with a small fridge.

The aft deck included a substantial tow post, additional seating, and provision for a client-supplied fire pump and hoses.

Propulsion was also customised to the DoT’s preferences, with a pair of 250hp Mercury outboards fitted. Although the vessel is normally expected to cruise at between 15 and 20 knots, these provide the ability to sprint at speeds well over 45 knots in patrol and emergency response situations.