BME NQ and TRS team up to produce innovative products for defence and industry

Two cornerstones of the Cairns marine industry have teamed up to punch above their weight, securing defence and industry contracts and employing local tradesmen by the dozen. Get an sneak peek inside the boats they are building for their latest Army contract.

Two cornerstones of the Cairns marine industry have teamed up to punch above their weight, securing defence and industry contracts and employing local tradespeople by the dozen.

BME NQ and Tropical Reef Shipyard have combined their expertise to make leaps and bounds in growing the Cairns marine industry.

Their latest collaboration has them producing safety and rescue boats for the Army, with the first two already out the doors and operating just down south in Townsville.

Five more of the vessels are in various stages of completion, with the next off to Sydney on January 10.

BME NQ with Tropical Reef Shipyard have built 7 Army Safety Watercraft vessels at their Portsmith workshop. Tropical Reef Shipyard apprentice boat builder Kai Swan, foreman Jerry Fichera and boat builder Nathan Francis helped to manufacture the boats under a defence force contract. Picture: Brendan Radke

The 7.5m watercraft is based on Australian naval architect firm Chris Tucker Marine Design’s product, at a cost of $4.05m.

The vessels will provide dedicated and agile watercraft for survey, safety, planning and command and control.

TRS business development manager Andrew Wagner said what makes these vessels so innovative is their lightweight design, as well as the state-of-the-art lithium battery systems.

“The lightweight needs of this craft for the ability to still be towed, means that we needed to use lightweight materials and fitting while maintaining an exceptionally high quality,” Mr Wagner said.

“The hull is aluminium while the cabin is composite which also lowers the centre of gravity while saving weight, everything down to the type of wiring were chosen with weight saving in mind.”

Tropical Reef Shipyard have built 7 Army Safety Watercraft vessels at their Portsmith workshop under a defence force contract. Tropical Reef Shipyard business development manager Andrew Wagner on one of the new boats. Picture: Brendan Radke

BME NQ owner and director Oscar Solares said that it was through collaboration with other members of the industry that the company had found success.

“We have been able to grow our staff from three to 24 and been able to grow into our new space here,” Mr Solares said.

The work at the shop is also supported by 14 smaller business who all provide expertise to different stages of the boat-building process.

“We have also been able to bring through apprentices each year some from Year 11 in high school programs giving them a hands-on look into the industry with many staying with us into full accreditation.”

This latest build also places the collaboration in good stead to secure other contacts with a current bid to secure the build of very similar vessels being prepared for the Queensland Emergency and Fire Service.

Tropical Reef Shipyard have built 7 Army Safety Watercraft vessels at their Portsmith workshop under a defence force contract. Picture: Brendan Radke

TRS are also spreading the reach of their work through working with organisations such as the Australian Maritime College by hosting internships that give young people in the industry hands-on experience.

Lachlan Tchappat is studying naval architecture at the College in Tasmania and has spent a month so far with the team at TRS.

“Im really enjoying the experience so far, but I’m still acclimatising to the heat,” Mr Tchappat said.

“I was approached by Norsta and then had talks with them and Tropo’s.

“Its been great to put things into practice as well as working closely with the people completing the builds.

“I’ve been assisting with project management and managing the fit-out of the boats being completed”

Mr Tchappat said that he would love to come up here to work once he has completed his study.

Tropical Reef Shipyard have built 7 Army Safety Watercraft vessels at their Portsmith workshop under a defence force contract. Picture: Brendan Radke

“Yeah I’d definitely come up here again.”

Along with the current builds for Defence, the team at BME are also working on a number of private vessels as well as smaller reef and animal research craft.

Looking into the new year the team will be working on a brand new 24 metre electric vessel build as well as continued maintenance of navy vessels.

Originally published as BME NQ and TRS team up to produce innovative products for defence and industry