A new 10m, jet-powered patrol vessel to support the Department of Fisheries' expanding operational needs at the Abrolhos Islands was officially named by Fisheries Minister Norman Moore in Geraldton today.

 

The new vessel was named ‘Pelsaert’ to revive a link with a Fisheries' patrol vessel used between the 1970s and 1990s as well as Francisco Pelsaert, the Dutch captain who commanded the Batavia, wrecked at the Abrolhos Islands in 1629.

 

Mr Moore said it was important to recognise the environmental and historical values of the island group.

 

“The Abrolhos Islands include sites of some of the most important historic shipwrecks in Australia, with associated historic sites located on the islands themselves,” he said.

 

“Adjoining State Territorial Waters, which include Western Australia’s first Fish Habitat Protection Area, also contain some of the most highly valued marine systems in the State.”

 

The Minister said the Department of Fisheries had the important role of managing the Abrolhos Islands, and the PV Pelsaert would be used to expand operational capabilities.

 

“The Houtman Abrolhos Islands is an A-Class Reserve and the department plays its part in ensuring the conservation of the area, but also overseeing tourism and recreational fishing and the commercial fishing and aquaculture industries that depend on it,” he said.

 

“This new vessel will have the ability to patrol the extensive shallow coral reef areas at the Abrolhos to undertake compliance, research and management activities.”

 

Mr Moore said he was pleased that local Mid-West companies Southerly Designs and Western Boat Builders were contracted to design and construct the PV Pelsaert.

 

“Purpose-built for its role, the patrol boat has bigger deck space than the standard rigid inflatable design, so it can carry equipment on the deck without the pontoons being damaged by rock lobster pots and contract equipment,” he said.

 

“The new vessel is capable of operating independently from other Department of Fisheries' patrol boats at the Abrolhos Islands - the PV Chalmers and PV Houtman - enabling a higher level of service delivery.”