Fire-stricken Shipbuilder Enters Voluntary Administration
Brisbane-based shipbuilders Aluminium Boats Australia Pty Ltd has been placed into voluntary administration after a shipyard fire in August has set the company toward financial instability. The fire, which occurred at the company’s Hemmant dockyard 11 weeks ago, started on board a Royal Australian Navy patrol boat undergoing maintenance at the yard, and subsequently destroyed the vessel. Though an investigation into the cause of the fire is continuing, and an insurance claim has been lodged, the builder said the incident has made voluntary administration necessary.
ABA Delivers to Sunferries
Aluminium Boats Australia (ABA) has delivered its latest high speed ferry, a 98.4 ft catamaran designed by Sydney-based One2three Naval Architects. Sunferries of Townsville, Queensland, accepted delivery of the Fantome Cat from the Brisbane builder on 26 March. Fantome Cat is a near sistership to Palm Cat, and takes the total number of ABA-built vessels in its fleet to two and the number of One2three designed vessels in the Sunferries fleet to four. Delivered a full two months ahead of schedule due to operator requirements, the Fantome Cat is a real example of understanding the needs of the customer explained Roy Whitewood, director and founder of ABA. The new catamaran is well appointed, being built with improvements adopted through the operational experience gained with Palm Cat.