Watson’s Marine Centre pioneers way with new commercial standard

by Yamaha Motor on 12 Dec 2014 Watson’s Marine Centre in conjunction with Yamaha Motor Australia is proud to pioneer the way to safer boating by custom-building the first vessel to the latest National commercial safety regulations, set out by the Australian Marine Safety Authority (AMSA).

In May 2014, Watsons Marine Centre in Gympie QLD, won the commercial tender to build a new purpose-built dive boat for Scientists at the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) in Townsville, QLD. The design brief set by AIMS was simple; build a tough and reliable, fast-response dive boat to the new AMSA standard, which will transport Scientists and their equipment to remote areas of the Great Barrier Reef.

600 hours man hours of design and construction later, and the team at Watson’s Marine Centre deliver AIMS their customised Vindicator 6.8 meter plate aluminium dive boat with 5mm bottom and 4mm floor and sides. Meeting the new AMSA 2C Survey Standards, the Vindicator 680 was outfitted with an automatic life-raft, survey standard buoyancy foam sheets, as well as the latest in GPS, side-scan sonar, sounder navigation and satellite communications technology. Also on request by AIMS, Watson’s Marine installed a purpose-built dive-tank locker, extended bimini cockpit cover and an extra wide portside access door for added convenience.

Built to ferry Scientists and their equipment to remote areas of the reef with maximum stability and comfort in a wide array of conditions. The custom-fabricated Vindicator was put through its paces during the commission survey (seaworthy and stability test), with the boat recording a maximum roll angle of half of the industry’s standard. Boasting incredible stability and exceeding the new AMSA standard, the new AIMS Vindicator 680 passed the commission survey with flying colours.

With the 'tough and reliable' design brief in mind, Watson’s Marine Centre turned to Yamaha Outboards, installing a pair of newly-released F115B four-stroke engines.

'The test results of the twin F115Bs on a heavy plate boat of this size is nothing short of amazing,' said Frank Watson, Owner of Watson’s Marine Centre. 'The performance and economy from the engines (F115B) matched with the rigidity of the Vindicator 680 have greatly exceeded everyone’s expectations.'

The Australian Institute of Marine Science was delighted to take delivery of their new research vessel, on 2nd December 2014.
Watson’s Marine Centre, a family owned Yamaha Dealership that has been in the marine industry for 48 years, is currently expanding their commercial vessel manufacturing operations and are taking orders on custom-built Vindicator plate alloy boats.

For more information click here or call (07) 5482 2135.