To maintain a presence and to undertake a range of border protection and other duties at Ashmore Island, located 500 nautical miles west of Darwin, a contract to build The Long Term Ashmore Capability (LTAC) On Station Vessel (OSV) was signed on 13th February 2013 between the Australian Government and Gardline Australia Pty Ltd.
This new 40m vessel has been designed for flexible and reliable long term deployment in a remote tropical location providing self sufficiency for months rather than weeks. With a steel hull and aluminium superstructure the design was developed from several years experience at the same location with a Gardline owned and operated vessel the ‘Ashmore Guardian’ currently under contract to Australian Customs and Border Protection which is anticipated to be replaced on delivery of the new vessel in mid 2014.
Gardline has worked closely with naval architects MMD and ship builder Strategic Marine – who will build the vessel – all three companies being located in the Perth area of Western Australia.
Brief Specifications: LOA 40m, breadth 11.5m, draft 2.4m, twin main engines and bowthruster, accommodation for 17 crew and 24 transportees, twin davits and tenders, USL code 2A.
Gardline is more widely known in the offshore business for marine science and sea bed survey activities however greater emphasis in recent years has been placed on construction, specialist ships and technical support.
[mappress]
Gardline, April 22, 2013