New barges put to the test

ANTARCTIC landing barges destined to work alongside Australia’s new icebreaker

RSV Nuyina have been put through their paces in sea trials on the River Derwent.

The two 16.3m by 6.2m aluminium landing barges have been built by Tasmanian company Taylor Bros.

They will carry up to 45 tonnes of cargo from ship to shore at Australia’s Antarctic and sub Antarctic stations.

Australian Antarctic Division (AAD) Icebreaker Project manager Nick Browne said the barges would undergo a few days of sea trials on the Derwent.

“The testing will consist of open water trials on the river to demonstrate a range of requirements relating to speed, propulsion and manoeuvring capability,” Mr Browne said.

“We will also test the ability of the barges to carry big trucks ashore as part of the roll-on roll-off capability where vehicles can drive on or off the barge over a ramp.”

Ship builder Phil Taylor said his company worked with AAD, Serco Australia and Damen on the design and construction of the barges to take into account the extreme conditions in which they will operate.

“It’s been a real challenge to balance all the requirements, including operating temperatures down to -30C and wind speeds of up to 50 knots,” Phil Taylor said.

“We also had to consider stability with heavy loads on board, fuel carrying capacity and structural strength.”

The barges will be aboard the RSV Nuyina, along with three personnel transfer tenders and a scientific research tender, which is due in Hobart in 2020.