Australian Antarctic Division’s RSV Nuyina did not adhere to TasPorts design parameters

Australian Antarctic Division’s RSV Nuyina did not adhere to TasPorts design parameters so it could safely travel under the Tasman Bridge.

The nuyina out at sea. Pic: Pete Harmsen

The Australian Antarctic Division was given specific parameters from TasPorts about the design of the $529m icebreaker RSV Nuyina and how it would affect its operation in the River Derwent – but which were overlooked.

The 160m-long research vessel has been denied permission by TasPorts to refuel at Selfs Point because it was deemed unsafe to travel under the Tasman Bridge. Instead, Nuyina will have to travel hundreds of kilometres, over four days, to refuel at the Port of Burnie.

TasPorts’ Harbour Master Mick Wall said on ABC Radio Hobart on Friday the AAD had changed the design after being given specific design parameters for the icebreaker that enabled it to travel safely under the Tasman Bridge.

The Mercury asked the AAD if they had changed the design parameters after TasPorts had given them specific design requirements.

An AAD spokesperson said conditional approval was granted based on the “final ship design” in February last year after Nuyina arrived in Hobart in August 2021.

“The initial design for the width was about 25.6m and when it was delivered its now currently at 35.1m so it’s a significant increase in the beam,” Mr Wall said.

“There’s always been design parameters around the maximum beam of the vessel to go through the bridge hull, that’s not necessarily a Nuyina situation, that's been the same situation for every single vessel that’s made an application for that matter to transit the bridge north to any of the services up there.”

ICS Silver Lining passes under the Tasman Bridge at Hobart. Picture: Chris Kidd

After a series of assessments conducted by TasPorts, Nuyina was found to be “outside the minimum limits” for safe transit under the bridge.

“Putting a moving vessel through the concrete upright at the main navigation span of the Tasman Bridge is something which you don’t just attempt and have a crack at it and see how you go,” Mr Wall said.

“It’s something which we’ve gone through a significant assessment process and we understand the impacts on AAD, we’ve worked very closely with them of the time.”

Mr Wall said Nuyina poses a risk of losing control while travelling under the bridge.

“The vessel has a significant amount of drift and sideslip so in a straight line, the vessel is perfectly suited for straight line work, perfectly suited for ice operations,” he said.

“It is a very powerful ship but when you put that vessel in a dynamic turn, it slides. It has an egg shaped hull at the front for the ice operations.

“The underwater hull form then tapers back very finely and then you have ice clearing channel down in the hull down towards the propeller and the rudders at the back and that in itself tends to see the vessel slide.”

An AAD spokesperson confirmed Nuyina will refuel in Burnie in October and November this year ahead of its upcoming summer season.

“The Australian Antarctic Division is working with the Tasmanian Government on long-term Hobart based refuelling options,” they said.

Originally published as Australian Antarctic Division’s RSV Nuyina did not adhere to TasPorts design parameters