Fisheries patrol biggest boat back in action after refit

The largest vessel in the 38-strong Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol fleet is back on the water after a major rebranding and maintenance program costing $178,000.

Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries Bill Byrne said the KI Ross had returned to action after seven weeks at the Millkraft boatyard at Hemmant, Brisbane.

“The work included a significant amount of sandblasting of the vessel’s hull, decks and upper deck areas – the first time in 17 years that this major work has been done,” the Minister said.

“The exterior was repainted, new windows were installed on both sides and the rear of the wheelhouse and the vessel’s air conditioning system was also replaced.

“One of the most visible changes is the new branding on the side of the vessel from Patrol to Fisheries.

“This branding is being rolled out progressively on all Queensland Boating and Fisheries Patrol vessels.

“The annual maintenance of the KI Ross was completed on time and on budget and the vessel has now resumed patrols from the QBFP Pinkenba base.”

The KI Ross is a 24 metre offshore patrol vessel which has been part of the QBFP fleet since 1999. It is operated by a 5 person crew as they undertake compliance activities. It is also used as a platform for other agencies’ activities, including Maritime Safety Queensland and Queensland Police.

Originally built at a cost of $3 million, the vessel has two 1100 horsepower V12 Caterpillar engines, carries 14,000 litres of diesel fuel and is capable of patrolling 200 nautical miles offshore.

In the nine months before the maintenance program it had operated between Mackay and the New South Wales Border, covering 5,400 nautical miles or the equivalent of 475 engine hours, including joint patrols with a range of partner agencies.

The vessel is named after former QBFP district officer Kenneth Ivan Ross who started as a patrol officer in the late 1960s and progressed through the ranks to district officer Yeppoon.

Ken was a Vessel Master of many of QBFP’s offshore vessels and was instrumental in having the first QBFP Award recognised. He also introduced technology into patrols including the first computer at the Cairns station.

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