New Patrol Boat for Great Barrier Reef Area Hits The Water

Australian vessel designer Incat Crowther on Friday announced the launch of Tamoya, an Incat Crowther 17 to join Reef Ranger and Reef Resilience in Australia's Great Barrier Reef Joint Field Management Program fleet.

"Tamoya packs a lot of punch for her size, which is measured specifically to fit the home port berth. The main deck is dominated by an aft working deck with a quick launch and recovery system for a 3.4m RHIB, dive racks, deck winches, BBQ area, a sink and multiple deck lashing points," Incat Crowther says.

Inside the main deck cabin is a wet room, mess, full-size galley and chest freezer. The elevated wheelhouse accommodates the captain’s bunk, whilst side doors provide direct access to the foredeck. Under the wheelhouse are a pair of twin cabins, with a further pair of single cabins located aft on the hull deck. 

The roof includes ample cargo area suitable for up to two 4.5m RHIBs, a deck crane, and multiple storage boxes, topping off a highly flexible and functional vessel. A deck crane allows the loading of cargo onto the roof, as well as answering the call for both on-board RHIBs to be launched and recovered easily and safely, Incat Crowther says. 

The hull has been specifically designed for the demanding operation and features a new-generation Z-Bow, large reserve buoyancy, and a nacelle to combat rough seas from south-east trade winds.Image Credit: Norman R Wright and Sons

Developed with operational experience from the existing fleet and computational fluid dynamics (CFD), the new hull has proven itself in recent sea trials. Energy efficiency is aided by roof-mounted solar panels to maximize the use of available renewable energy and reduce environmental impact. 

Built to a high standard that balances weight, robustness, and maintainability, Tamoya is highly efficient and powered by twin MAN i6-850 main engines driving fixed-pitch propellers through ZF V-drive gearboxes. She effortlessly cruises at a service speed of 20 knots. The efficiency translates into range, with the vessel able to be autonomous for up to 10 days at sea with a 500 nautical mile range. 

Image Credit: Norman R Wright and SonsIncat Crowther 20

Also, Incat Crowther released further details of a Landing Craft under construction for the same customer. Norman R Wright and Sons are the project manager and builder of both vessels.

Construction continues apace on a new Incat Crowther 20 Landing Craft also for the Great Barrier Reef Joint Field Management Program. 

The vessel will add another string to the bow of the fleet, with beach landing capability combined with a long-range and fast cruise speed to improve the Programs capacity to manage the 470 island protected areas within the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area. This landing craft provides vehicle access to beaches or boat ramps via a hydraulically operated ramp. 

Operations are supported by reinforced hull bottom for beach groundings, a low hull draft of only one meter, protected propellers, and a kedging winch at the stern.  The large working deck is capable of carrying deck cargo and vehicles, such as four-wheel drives, trailers, an excavator, compact track loader or small tractors. 

In addition to the bow ramp, the vessel will have a UNIC deck crane capable of lifting 680kg at 7.5m. 12 passengers can also be accommodated on this working deck on folding seats. 

Multiple deck lockers also add to the vessel’s functionality, Incat Crowther said.

The wheelhouse deck features a full walkaround, with the aft deck featuring the vessel’s rescue boat and crane, laundry, and bathroom. 

"Exterior wing stations forward on this deck afford excellent visibility over the working deck and bow ramp. The wheelhouse features lockers and a single bed. A feature-packed main deck cabin includes a twin cabin, a large mess and a fully functional galley," the ship designer adds.

Fitted with similar equipment to the larger Reef Ranger and Reef Resilience, with a separate fridge and freezer and a large pantry, alongside ample countertop space. Below decks is a pair of twin cabins and stores. 

Powered by an identical MAN propulsion package as Tamoya, the hull offers long-range capability of 500nm at 20 knots with low engine loading, enabling the Landing Craft to efficiently and effectively deliver construction materials and equipment to remote locations.

For over 40 years, the Queensland and Australian governments’ Reef Joint Field Management Program has planned and executed field operations in the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area.

The addition of these new vessels is part of the Program’s significant expansion, with additional funding, improved vessels, and more staff to better undertake fieldwork and incident response in this iconic and vast World Heritage Area. The delivery of the fourth Incat Crowther designed vessel for the Great Barrier Reef Joint Field Management Program fleet follows the company’s maxim of “Your Vision, Our Innovation” by consistently delivering bespoke solutions