New vessel joins Great Barrier Reef fleet in Queensland's north

A new 20-metre vessel - the Island Guardian - has joined the fleet of vessels in Queensland's north used to protect and restore the Great Barrier Reef.

The $6.3 million Island Guardian will be used by Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority and Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service to transport materials, tools and machinery to protected islands throughout the Reef.

Designed by Incat Crowther and built in Brisbane by Norman R Wright and Sons, Island Guardian is tailor-made to meet the needs of the field management program.

It will also be used as a platform for dive teams replacing and servicing marine infrastructure such as public moorings and reef protection markers.

The vessel was jointly funded by the Federal and Queensland Governments as part of their strong commitment to protecting the reef and ensuring it can be enjoyed by future generations.

The barge has a cruising speed of 20 knots and a range of 500 nautical miles. It can sleep up to seven people for 10 days at a time, making it perfect for multi-day journeys and surveys of more remote sections of the Reef.

The Island Guardian takes the total number of vessels in the Reef Joint Field Management Program fleet to 21 boats.

While based in Townsville, Island Guardian will operate across the entire Great Barrier Reef and island network.

QLD Minister for Environment and the Great Barrier Reef, Leanne Linard shared “The field management program is responsible for 163km of walking track, 111 campgrounds, 21 boardwalks and lookouts and 15km of public roads across the Reef’s island network.

“There are 347 public moorings and 289 reef protection markers in the Great Barrier Reef, Island Guardian will assist in maintaining these and protecting important reef and seagrass habitats from anchor damage.

“This new barge will travel wherever its needed across the Reef to transport crucial equipment to maintain, protect and improve protected islands, making it a fine addition to the fleet.”

More information about the Reef joint Field Management Program is available here