THE AUSTRALIAN Maritime Safety Authority’s new Torres Strait and Great Barrier Reef emergency towing vessel has been floated out at the Shandong Port Marine Equipment Shipyard in Rizhao, China.
Reef Responder, a Robert Allen-designed RAsalvor6500 -type, is being constructed for Boluda Towage Australia, which (when Smit Lamnalco) secured the ETV contract with AMSA in December 2023. It took over service provision on 1 July 2024 year using the temporary ETV Reef Keeper. The latter replaced the AMS-operated Coral Knight, now owned by KOTUG and working for Bhagwan Marine in northern Australian waters.
“Reef Responder has officially been floated and moved alongside for the next stage of fit out and commissioning – an important milestone in Australia’s maritime emergency response capability,” AMSA said.
“Once operational, Reef Responder will play a key role in how we respond to maritime casualties, pollution events and other high-risk incidents across the Great Barrier Reef and Torres Strait.”
Reef Responder will have a 46% increase in bollard pull power (120 tonnes versus 100 tonnes for Reef Keeper and 82 tonnes for Coral Knight) greater top speed and larger crew capacity.
AMSA said the new vessel will have a hybrid propulsion system that allows the power generation system to be optimised for the desired operational profile and speed. Consideration has also been given in the design stage for the use of methanol as an alternative future fuel source which aligns with the global push to reduce emissions and decarbonise shipping.
It will be fitted with high-performance equipment, including MAN main engines, Brunvoll propulsion and DP2, Cummins gensets, and a Melcal crane.
It is due for delivery this year.