Pontoon heralds start of $60m project in WA

12:40 AM Mon 8 Dec 2008 GMT

'The pontoon is just one part of a $60m development.' . Click Here to view large photo

The Australian Marine Complex (AMC) at Henderson has received an early Christmas present with the arrival of a massive pontoon that will form part of a new $60million floating dock.

Measuring 99m by 53m and incorporating more than 4,000 tonnes of steel, the pontoon was delivered via a Dockwise semi-submersible ship from Vietnam where the structure was built by AMC-based shipbuilder Strategic Marine.

Western Trade Coast Business Manager Luke Willcock said the floating dock project also represents a significant investment in Western Australian industry.

"More than 60 per cent of the floating dock will be completed locally including fabrication of 1,000 tonne steel sidewalls and the development and integration of all high technology 'smart' components," Mr Willcock said.

"This will be the most technologically advanced floating dock in the world featuring computerised touch screen control systems and automated ballasting to lift heavy vessels out of the water for service and maintenance."

With the pontoon now at the AMC Common User Facility (CUF), where it was towed from near Garden Island after being floated off the Dockwise semi-submersible ship, sidewall modules will be fitted before commissioning trials begin in June 2009.

The pontoon measures 99m by 53m and incorporates more than 4,000 tonnes of steel. - .. Click Here to view large photo

Once commissioned, the floating dock will be capable of providing the land transfer of vessels up to 3,500 tonnes and will be able to lift 12,000 tonne vessels out of the water for service and maintenance work.

"The floating dock will further enhance the world-class capabilities of the CUF, and alone is expected to inject $2bn into WA's economy over the next 25 years," Mr Willcock said.

"It will facilitate commercial ship repair work; service the growing superyacht industry in WA; provide capability for the testing of sub-sea oil and gas components; and allow WA to bid for a range of major maintenance and construction projects across the marine, defence and resources sectors."

The floating dock is critical to ASC Pty Ltd's multi-billion dollar Through-Life Support contract to provide service and maintenance for the Collins Class submarines at the CUF until at least 2018.

The floating dock is on track to be complete in time for the first scheduled submarine docking in October 2009.

The dock, along with a $17m Self Propelled Modular Transporter (SPMT) system which will also come online mid next year, is part of a $174million infrastructure upgrade program funded by the State Government and administered by LandCorp.

by Jeni Bone

Click on thumbnails to enlarge and find more photos:

Newsfeed supplied by

#News #Sailing

Sailing

VHF Radio on the Water: Channels and Calls

Sailing

Overnight at Anchor: Setting Up Right

Sailing

Reefing Early: Shorten Sail Before It's Too Late

Sailing

The Beaufort Scale: How We Learned to Rank Wind

Sailing

Reefing Early: Shorten Sail Before You Must

Sailing

Reefing: Read the Signs, Act Early

Nearby
North Head, NSW	7 kn NNW
Little Bay, NSW	5 kn N
Cronulla, NSW	8 kn N
Windiest in Australia
Maatsuyker Island, TAS	38 kn NW	10°
Most Windless in Australia
Perth (Coastal), WA	Calm	12°
Hottest in Australia
Marble Bar, WA	3 kn NW	30°
Coldest in Australia
Mount Read, TAS	15 kn WNW	3°
Wettest in Australia
Mount Read, TAS	36.0 mm

Pontoon heralds start of $60m project in WA

Read the Wind: Judge Its Force Without a Gauge

QLD Coast in Winter: Dry Season Tactics

Heave-To: Sailing's Emergency Pause Button

Live Weather

Nearby

Windiest in Australia

Most Windless in Australia

Hottest in Australia

Coldest in Australia

Wettest in Australia

Sailing Articles

Buy & Sell

2026 4"0" Js Black Eagle 2

GoFoil M200, M17100 Tail, 70Cm Mast With Plate

2024 Patrik Slalom 130

2025 F-One Eagle X 900

2024 Severne Custom Redback

2021 JP Australia Freefoil 115

2023 Switch Kites Element 8

Weather

Activities

About

Other

Support