Vietnam – Oceanics delivers new Long Term Ashmore Capability vessel replacement, ABF Cutter THAIYAK , to the Australian Border Force.
On Saturday 29th March 2014, the Managing Director of AST Oceanics, Mr Gregory Darling, attended the launch of the ABF Cutter THAIYAK (Australian Torres Strait Islander word meaning arrow), in the Vung Tau ship yard of West Australian shipbuilder, Strategic Marine. AST Oceanics’s role in the build has been as prime contractor to the Australian Government for the provision of the vessel.
AST Oceanics, Strategic Marine and Fremantle based naval architects, McAlpine Marine Design (MMD), teamed to project manage, design, build and deliver the THAIYAK under a contract awarded to AST Oceanics by the Australian Border Force in February 2013 after an extensive open tendering process.The THAIYAK is a purpose built On Station Vessel (OSV) designed for long duration deployments in tropical waters, specifically the pristine environment of the Ashmore Reef marine conservation park, Australian territory situated about 500nm North West of Darwin, NT. The THAIYAK replaces the Oceanic’s vessel, ASHMORE GUARDIAN, which has been performing the OSV task since 2007 until recently. At 500 tonnes GRT, 40 metres in length and with a beam of 11.5 metres the THAIYAK is a large volume vessel designed by MMD taking into account Custom’s specific needs and Oceanics’s experience in operating the ASHMORE GUARDIAN. The vessel will have an intended service life of 15 years and is powered by twin diesel engines and bow thruster and can accommodate in excess of 40 persons including crew. The vessel’s “mission system” revolves around two capable RHIB’s stowed aft that can quickly deploy to respond to unauthorised incursions into the Ashmore Reef area. After builders trials in Vietnam, the THAIYAK will be sailed to Australia for final fit out before delivery to AST Oceanics in June 2014 in Perth, Western Australia. AST Oceanics will then handover the vessel to Australian Border Force when it will be manned by Customs personnel and, after shakedown and workup, sail to North Australia to assume duties as ABFC THAIYAK, Australian Custom’s Long Term Ashmore Capability On Station Vessel