The Victoria Department of Justice and Community Safety is about to take delivery of a state-of-the-art vessel which will help improve response times and modernise the capability of the state's Marine Search and Rescue Service.
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Built by Steber International in Taree the 38ft (11.46m) vessel will go into service with the Port Fairy Marine Rescue Service following road transport from Taree and final commissioning in Williamstown, Victoria.
Steber general manager, Alan Steber said the vessel is fitted with long range fuel tanks providing a range in excess of 300 nautical miles.
Even after this range there is a large reserve fuel capacity for that unexpected rescue task without losing valuable time refuelling.
The vessel was specifically designed to handle extreme weather conditions such as found in Bass Strait. Other features include:
- Twin Cummins 425hp diesel engines with a service speed of 25 knots (fully fuelled and loaded with 10 people onboard) and sprint speed of 30 knots based on the same criteria
- Furuno navigation and electronic equipment
- Man-overboard detection system
- FLIR thermal imaging camera
- Life raft, buoys and a full range of safety equipment
- Licensed and in survey to carry 10 people
The new search and rescue vessel will support the following operations:
- Day/night search and rescue operations
- Support to government departments and emergency services
- Assisting and/or towing damaged or disabled vessels
- Recovery and transport of sick or injured persons
- Support for aerial operations
- Firefighting and flooded vessel assistance
Steber International has built more than 70 similar vessels for Customs, Defence, Police, Fisheries, Border Security and Marine Rescue services on behalf of the Australian Government and various State government departments.
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