Dongara Marine to build a new marine rescue RIB for Shark Bay

by Dongara Marine 15 Jun 2020 22:03 PDT

Dongara Marine has been selected by Western Australia's Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) to be on a panel of contractors for the supply of new 'fit for purpose' rescue vessels and vessel refit services.

First order is to build new RIB

The boatbuilder's first confirmed order is for a new 8.3 metre rescue craft for Marine Rescue Shark Bay, which is based in Denham, Western Australia.

Designed by the naval architects at its long-standing partner Southerly Designs, the aluminium hulled rigid inflatable boat (RIB) will have foam filled collars. It features an enclosed cabin with seating for three crew. The cabin is open at the rear, enabling direct access to the work deck, which is sheltered by a fixed canopy.

Bayside Marine will supply the boat's twin 200hp Yamaha outboards, while another long term Dongara Marine supplier, Geraldton Marine Electronics, will provide a comprehensive suite of navigation and communications electronics. This includes radar, chart plotter, sounder, a forward looking infra-red (FLIR) thermal camera, and underwater cameras.

Select group of suppliers

"Dongara Marine is one of only four boatbuilders selected for the panel. Our selection followed a competitive request for tender process run by DFES last year which called for offers for the supply of new rescue vessels as well as the provision of vessel refit services," explained Dongara Marine's Managing Director, Rohan Warr.

New build rescue craft for which DFES sought offers included both fibreglass and aluminium vessels of the following types and sizes:

• Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats (RHIB) - 7.0 to 7.5 metres, 8.0 to 8.5 metres, and 11.5 metres;
• Monohull vessels - 7.0 to 7.5 metres, 8.0 to 8.5 metres, and 11.5 metres;
• Amphibious vessels - 7.0 to 7.5 metres;
• Cathedral hull vessels - 7.0 to 7.5 metres, 8.0 to 8.5 metres, and 11.5 metres; and
• Catamarans - 7.0 to 7.5 metres, 8.0 to 8.5 metres, and 11.5 metres.

Under the arrangement DFES will procure new vessels and refits from qualified contractors on the panel for selected marine rescue groups. There are 38 marine rescue groups, comprising some 1,400 volunteers, around the Western Australian coastline. These groups are represented by the not-for-profit organisation Volunteer Marine Rescue Western Australia (VMRWA).