Member for Lyne Dr David Gillespie said the R/V Ginan, built by Taree based boat builder Steber International, will enable the Australian government to strengthen defence capability.
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Dr Gillespie recently joined Steber managing director Alan Steber to inspect the new vessel, which is part of a $1.8 million project to support Defence's maritime research.
The vessel was named after the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander word Ginan, which represents 'a dilly bag filled with special songs of knowledge'.
"For the Wardaman people of Northern Australia, it also refers to the fifth brightest star in the Southern Cross," Dr Gillespie said.
"This project is clear evidence of our government's commitment to using Aussie know-how in the regions to grow our Defence capability."
The vessel will replace the timber Army work boat, which has served Defence Science for more than 30 years and will be used for science and technology trials in coastal waters, predominantly in the Sydney Harbour and Jervis Bay regions of NSW.
Minister for Defence Industry Melissa Price said the government has a long history of working with Steber International, supported by Cummins South Pacific, Olectric Systems and a number of small service providers in the Mid North Coast area.
"While the vessel will initially focus on the development and testing of maritime robotic and autonomous systems, its versatility means it will also be used to support a range of programs, including hydrographic survey and ocean sciences," Ms Price said.