The recent delivery of the luxury motor yacht Aussie Rules, built by the Austal Group company Oceanfast, a Western Australian custom motor yacht builder, marks the conclusion to an innovative project which Lloyd’s Register has been involved in for the past two years. The vessel is owned by Greg Norman, the Australian two-time winner of the British Open golf tournament, who also serves as the inspiration for Oceanfast’s series of Norman Expedition Yachts of which Aussie Rules is the first. The yachts represent an innovative hybridization between the commercial exploration vessel and the
traditional luxury yacht and combine the ability to undertake both traditional cruises and more specialized expeditions, including diving and access to remote locations.
Aussie Rules was designed to Lloyd’s Register’s Special Service Craft Rules and was constructed under the guidance of Lloyd’s Register’s surveyors in Fremantle, Australia.
Aussie Rules has a top speed of 17 knots and a range in excess of 8,000 nautical miles. The 69.5 metre (228 ft) yacht will carry 220,000 litres of fuel in seven tanks. The engines allow for continuous operation using twin 3516B Caterpillar engines that output 1,492 kW (2,000 hp) at 1,600 rpm. With this range and fuel carrying capacity, Aussie Rules could almost cruise from the South Pole to the North Pole without having to refuel.