AST Oceanics

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Author name: Cindy

ABFC Ashmore Guardian retired

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Canberra – AST Oceanics Signs Contract to Provide In Service Support to ABF Cutter THAIYAK

On 25 March 2014, AST Oceanics entered into a performance based contract with the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service to provide the In Service Support (ISS) to the new build Australian Border Force owned vessel ABFC THAIYAK, due for delivery to Australian Border Force from Oceanics late June 2014.

On 25 March 2014, AST Oceanics entered into a performance based contract with the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service to provide the In Service Support (ISS) to the new build to the ABFC THAIYAK, due for delivery to Australian Border Force from Oceanics late June 2014. The ISS contract has an initial term of 5 years with 2 yearly performance based extensions out to a maximum duration of 15 years; the anticipated service life of the ABFC THAIYAK.

At 500 tonnes GRT, 40 metres in length and with a beam of 11.5 metres, ABFC THAIYAK is a large volume vessel that has been purpose built as an On Station Vessel (OSV) designed for long duration deployments in tropical waters, specifically the pristine environment of the Ashmore Reef marine conservation park, an Australian territory situated about 500nm North West of Darwin, NT. ABFC THAIYAK replaces the Oceanics vessel, ASHMORE GUARDIAN, which has been performing the OSV task since 2007 until recently.

The contract will involve providing full ILS support to the vessel on a 365 day 24/7 basis when the vessel is both on task in Ashmore Reef and on the occasions it returns to its home port of Darwin.

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Antarctic Blue Whale Research

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Across the southern summer of 2012/2013 AST Oceanics chartered the NZ distant water fishing vessel AMALTAL EXPLORER to support the Australian Antarctic Division’s Blue Whale Antarctic research program. Across the southern summer of 2012/2013 AST Oceanics chartered the NZ distant water fishing vessel AMALTAL EXPLORER to support the Australian Antarctic Division’s Blue Whale Antarctic research program. Over a period of seven weeks the AMALTAL EXPLORER carried a multinational team of researchers from Nelson in the South Island of New Zealand to the ice cap of the Australian Antarctic Territory to locate, photograph, tag and track the Antarctic blue whale. The deployment was deemed one of the most successful in the Program.  In the words of the AAD “ In a world first, acoustic technology has been used to successfully find, track and study the biggest creature on Earth, the Antarctic blue whale. Blue whales are very rarely seen in the Southern Ocean and yet by using this technology scientists on a seven-week voyage to the Southern Ocean were able to collect 57 photo identifications, 23 biopsy samples and attach satellite tags to two of these colossal whales”. To see the video follow the link: https://www.antarctica.gov.au/news/2013/australias-successful-antarctic-blue-whale-voyage

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ABF Cutter ASHMORE GUARDIAN

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In 2007 the Australian Border Force sought to acquire a vessel that would spend more than 300 days per year stationed in Ashmore Reef, located 500 nautical miles to the North West of Darwin. Ashmore Reef is Australian territory and a marine reserve. AST Oceanics was awarded the contract.

In 2007 Australian Border Force sought to acquire a vessel that would spend more than 300 days per year stationed in Ashmore Reef, located 500 nautical miles to the North West of Darwin. The vessel was to be supported every 28 days by a crew and logistics resupply vessel operating from Darwin. The contract continued for 6 years until December 2013 and exceeded the annual days on station every year and without a day of down time. Ashmore Reef is Australian territory and a marine reserve. AST Oceanics was awarded a contract to provide a vessel suitable for this task. This involved the purchase, preparation, modification and introduction into service of the ABFC ASHMORE GUARDIAN for Australian Border Force for their operational role of surveillance and protection of Ashmore Reef across 2007-2013. This preparation included the purchase for conversion of the fishing trawler ROPER K in Fremantle. The vessel was mobilized to Singapore for conversion under Oceanics superintendency involving: addition of a new machinery space for two generating sets; new switchboard; new A/C and freezer plant;  new sewage system; creation of additional storage space; and inclusion of a waste compactor and associated pumps. A new articulated crane, galley, mast, bridge and navigation equipment and radial davits were also fitted. Accommodation upgrades were provided to all cabins and some new cabins were constructed mid-ships for the use of Australian Border Force staff. An area was also created to accommodate survivors forward. For some considerable time more than 100 dock yard workers were engaged in the conversion.

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ABF Cutter TRITON

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In 2006 AST Oceanics was awarded a contract to provide a fast surveillance and patrol vessel to the Australian Border Force for inclusion in its Australian Northern waters patrol program.

The contract involved the charter and mobilisation of the Gardline Shipping owned vessel RV TRITON from UK to Australia via Singapore for vessel modifications and then operation of the 98 meter trimaran hulled vessel across 2006 – 2015 within the Australian EEZ, Southern Indian Ocean and beyond in response to Australian Border Force national tasking. Preparations of the TRITON for the contract included a short duration, intense activity involving : the appointment of appropriate AST Oceanics technical management staff; designing and constructing additional accommodation within the side pods of the vessel; construction of survivor accommodation in the forward hold; the purchase and installation of a new sewage treatment system installed through the side of the main hull whilst in dry dock; installation of deck mounted containers for hospital, gym, accommodation and storage purposes; additional internal stores capacity and, a range of other work packages required by the client. Subsequently, both main engines have been changed out so as to significantly improve the reliability and economic operation, thereby enhancing the vessels operational value to the ABF.

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