Incat Crowther can release further details of a Landing Craft under construction for the same customer as Reef Ranger, Reef Resilience and Tamoya, being built by Norman R Wright and Sons.
Construction continues apace on a new Incat Crowther 20 Landing Craft 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 significantly 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 metre, 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.
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. 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 the new vessel 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.
This, the fifth 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 to support the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area.