Catamaran to Protect Great Barrier Reef

Incat Crowther is pleased to announce the delivery of Reef Ranger, a 24m long-range Catamaran Patrol Vessel, built by Marine Engineering Consultants (MEC) of the Gold Coast, Australia. 

The vessel will fulfill the day-to-day tasks of managing the Great Barrier Marine Park. Operational roles include compliance monitoring, park management, diving and research operations. 

According to the Queensland Government, Reef Ranger is more cost-effective and twice as fast as the vessel it replaces. The vessel will patrol the 348,000 square kilometer Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area. 

Queensland National Parks Minister Steve Dickson said of the new vessel, “The new boat can operate away from port for 12 weeks, has a range of up to 2000 nautical miles and speeds of up to 25 knots, plus it can carry up to 28 people on day operations, so it really will give us the freedom to spend more time on those activities that protect the reef and support the tourism industry.” 

At the center of Reef Ranger’s cost-effective design is an excellent combination of deadweight, functionality and performance. Typical of Incat Crowther’s high-volume workboat hull, the vessel offers greater capacity and operational envelope, whilst maintaining excellent fuel economy. 

As well as being efficient and capable, Reef Ranger’s environmental credentials are bolstered by the implementation of numerous technologies. These include extensive solar panels, high R-value insulation, zoned air conditioning, as well as window blinds and shutters to reduce the impact of the Queensland sun. 

The extensive solar array takes advantage of modern lithium-ion batteries to reduce the use of diesel generators both in operation and whilst at anchor at night and allow the vessel’s diesel generators to remain shut down overnight. With an intelligent control system that combines power from both generator and solar panels, running cots are reduced, as are the costs of maintaining the generators. 

The vessel’s aft deck houses a cradle for a 6m RIB, which is capable of being launched and retrieved at speeds of up to 6 knots and in seas up to 3m. Storage capacity is provided aft for 1500 liters of unleaded petrol, for use on the RIBs. 

The main deck cabin features a large wet room, mess with seats for 15, a large galley and pantry, lounge area, computer workstations and two twin cabins. Doors to the side decks provide safe and easy access around the vessel.

The upper deck features two twin cabins, a bathroom, power tools store and cold store. Aft is a barbecue area, a 4.5m RIB with crane and the vessel’s cargo space. An additional 8 crew are accommodated in twin cabins in the hulls. 

Reef Ranger is powered by a pair of 670kW diesel engines. Following an intensive sea trial optimization of the propulsion train, the vessel is capable of a max speed of 25 knots with efficient cruising during patrol work between 12 and 20 knots.