The 2016 Best Large Pilot Boat ‘Winyama’.
The 2016 Best Large Pilot Boat had to be ‘Winyama’, leveraging more than 35 years of experience with high-speed fishing, patrol and off shore crew boat design.
‘Winyama’ was designed after considering her requirements across her entire operating life. What would need maintaining and what would degrade in the heat and humidity of Damier led to the use of corrosion-free copper-nickel pipework throughout and a composite wheelhouse which is naturally insulated and also corrosion free.
The fendering system that has been installed features HDPE inserts that are easily and cost effectively replaced, removing the need to repair dents and dings in the aluminium.
Dongara Marine had a very good year with the launch of two newbuilds and a third after a large extension and refit. It is expanding its premises to be able to handle vessels up to 24 metres and will be looking to employ additional staff including another apprentice.
The team at Dongara Marine is optimistic about the future of the pilot boat industry with ports becoming busier through increased trade and exports. With OH&S now so ingrained in Australian workplaces, the quality of vessels is now increasing with designs that are both safer and more comfortable to operate. A firm belief that end users will begin to evaluate pilot vessels over a longer time frame and to begin to fully investigate whole of life costs as opposed to initial capital expenditure is also mentioned. Other trends that seem to be occurring is a return to Australian
built and designed as opposed to imported products.
