RSV Nuyina returns to Hobart after repairs
Australia’s troubled icebreaker is back in service after being out of action for almost a year.
Tasmania
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Australia’s troubled icebreaker is set to return to service after a 10-month repair job.
The $529m RSV Nuyina steamed into Hobart from Singapore on Monday afternoon.
The new ship had been in service for less than eight months before issues with its clutches in July last year.
It was unable to take part in scheduled resupply and science missions during the 2022-23 Antarctic season and the Australian Antarctic Division was forced to charter two other vessels instead.
Logistics were further complicated when one of the ships — the MV Happy Diamond — suffered mechanical problems of its own last November and had to return to port while halfway to the frozen continent.
A spokesman for the AAD said the Nuyina would return to service with a sub-Antarctic mission.
“RSV Nuyina is returning to service after undergoing maintenance and repairs in Singapore,” he said.
“These works included repairs and improvements to the propulsion system clutches.
“Issues with couplings that connect the propulsion shafts with the clutches have also been rectified.
“Repairs were covered under the vessel’s warranty.
“Preparations are now underway for Nuyina to travel to sub-Antarctic Macquarie Island in May.
“Nuyina will deliver hundreds of tonnes of cargo to Macquarie Island research station and transport scientists undertaking ecological, ocean and atmospheric research.”
Nuyina first arrived in Hobart in October 2021 and has completed just two resupply missions to Australian research stations in Antarctica.
The ship’s maiden voyage was delayed after a software malfunction was detected in the alarm and monitoring system.
It also suffered an electrical fault the day before its Hobart arrival in October.
And approval for the ship to pass under the Tasman Bridge was delayed for months after concerns it was too large to transit safely.
TasPorts finally gave the nod in February 2022.
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