VIDEO: New low-draft landing craft goes to work on Great Barrier Reef
Written by Nick Blenkey
With a low draft of only three and a half feet and a reinforced forefoot, Island Guardian can safely land on a large range of gradients. [Image: incat Crowther]
Australia’s Great Barrier Reef Joint Field Management Program has recently taken delivery of a new high-speed low-draft landing craft from Brisbane-based boat builder Norman R. Wright & Sons.
Designed by Incat Crowther, the 21-meter vessel, the Island Guardian, has been designed specifically to allow the transportation of equipment and vehicles to remote areas of the reef. The landing craft can carry up to 7.5 tonnes of deck cargo including vehicles such as four-wheel drives, trailers, excavators, compact track loaders or small tractors. The fourth Incat Crowther-designed vessel delivered to the program, it will enhance island protected area management, research, incident response and facilitate more efficient management of the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area.
Cargo loading is facilitated by an Incat Crowther custom designed bi-folding vehicle ramp on the bow. With a low draft of only three and a half feet and a reinforced forefoot, the vessel can safely land on a large range of gradients, including beaches or boat ramps. A deck crane has also been fitted with the ability to lift a payload of 680 kilograms at a 7.5 meter radius.
The robust engineering of the landing craft’s bow ramp also gives it the capability to safely rescue and release marine life weighing up to 600 kilograms.
The vessel has an economical cruising speed of 20 knots and can to travel at a maximum speed of 25 knots. The hull has been designed to incorporate the bow ramp while not limiting the ability to combat rough seas from south-east trade winds. Propeller tunnels facilitate efficient propulsion while maintaining low draft for beach landings.
Island Guardian can transport up to 24 personnel in addition to its cargo. The main deck has a galley, crew lounge, crew mess, and bathroom. Twin crew berths are located on the main deck, port hull and starboard hull. Additional seating for service personnel is located on the working deck via folding seats. Multiple deck lockers add to the vessel’s functionality.
The landing craft’s wheelhouse features a full walk-around and has been designed to ensure excellent visibility of the working deck and bow ramp from both its central helm position and exterior wing stations. The wheelhouse features a single master’s berth, ample storage and crew seating. The exterior of the wheelhouse deck features the vessel’s rescue boat, additional freezer space, a laundry and a bathroom.
“The brief we received from the Great Barrier Reef Joint Field Management Program was a complex, yet exciting one,” said Incat Crowther’s technical manager, Dan Mace. “The challenge was to deliver a vessel with several unique elements to enable it to operate safely and efficiently in one of the most pristine environments in the world.”
“Our goal was to design a low-draft vessel that could deliver valuable cargo on high-speed transits in rough seas, land on a range of beaches and boat ramps, and support rescue and recovery missions all whilst minimizing impact on the environment,” continued Mace. “Our team collaborated closely with the client to achieve this, and we are pleased that the customer is incredibly happy with the final product.” .
“Island Guardian performed flawlessly on sea trials,” said Tony Riek of Norman R. Wright & Sons. “The successful build involved use of our lightweight construction techniques and high standard of build quality. The package delivered by Incat Crowther streamlined the physical shipbuilding process and delivered on a very complex set of parameters. We are very pleased to achieve such a successful outcome for the client.”
