Super Servant 3 to 'sink' in Brisbane River

by Barby MacGowan on 3 Aug 2009 A bright orange ship will deliberately 'sink' off Fisherman’s Island, Brisbane, on Wednesday August 5th at 8.00am and commence unload / loading operations at Berth 7, Port Drive, Fishermans Island, Brisbane.

For Dockwise Yacht Transport (DYT), which owns and operates the 139-metre Super Servant 3, it will be business as usual, however.

The DYT ship has been specially designed to submerge itself and allow recreational boats and private luxury yachts of up to 65 metres in length (some larger) to float on and off as cargo.

'It’s an amazing process,' said Jason Roberts, President of Aurora Global Logistics and DYT’s exclusive commercial agent for Australia, 'and one that provides the safest, most efficient way for boat owners to move their prized possessions around the world.'

Roberts explained that DYT, headquartered in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., transports more than 1,200 yachts on these 'floating marinas' each year. Super Servant 3 left Port Everglades in Ft. Lauderdale at the end of June and stopped in Papeete, Tahiti, before heading to Brisbane.

'Even with the economy having suffered over the past year, DYT has remained committed to its routes designed for reaching South Pacific destinations in support of the Australian trade,' said DYT President Clemens van der Werf. He also noted that just one year ago, DYT’s 209-meter Yacht Express, the largest vessel of its kind in the world, made its official debut Down Under to the applause of industry leaders. 'We are confident in the marine industry in Australia,' he added.

After the ship is submerged, yachts are driven on with great care. Divers then swim around the yachts to lock in the supports that will secure them during their voyage, before the ship rises again to become a moving dry dock. At each new destination, the process is reversed for unloading.

DYT’s regular schedule also includes calls to the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, the West Coast of North America, and the Caribbean. The next scheduled delivery to the South Pacific is in January/February 2010.

To view a 'How Does it Work' slide show, go to http://www.yacht-transport.com/howdoesitwork.

Boat operators are reminded to keep a safe distance from the vessel.

http://www.yacht-transport.com.au