According to an article published in The Maritime Executive, Captains to lead Australia’s New Antarctic Research Vessel the RSV Nuyina are announced.
How different is the RSV Nuyina?
Captain Scott Laughlin and Captain Paul Clarke will lead the alternating crews operating Australia’s new icebreaker, the RSV Nuyina.
Replacing the Aurora Australis, the RSV Nuyina will be:
- faster,
- larger,
- stronger and
- offer increased endurance.
About the vessel
Specification
- The vessel is 160-meter long, 24,000-ton vessel.
- It is expected to accommodate 34 crew and up to 116 scientific personnel.
- It has the ability to embark up to four helicopters, two landing craft and a dedicated science tender.
It provides
- will supply Antarctic research stations with cargo, equipment and personnel, and
- as a research ship, she will also have extensive laboratory facilities on board.
Design
- The icebreaker was designed by KNUD E. HANSEN.
- It is being constructed at the Damen shipyard in Galati, Romania.
- Expected to be commissioned in 2020.
Serco Australia is managing the ship design and build process, and will then operate and maintain the icebreaker from its home port of Hobart, Tasmania.
About the captains
Captain Scott Laughlin
Laughlin has completed more than 50 voyages to Antarctica. As Captain of Australia’s current icebreaker Aurora Australis, for over 10 years, he is familiar with the cold and challenging conditions of the Southern Ocean. Laughlin has worked with:
- Serco for the past five years;
- initially as part of the team who compiled the successful bid to design, build, operate and maintain the Nuyina, and
- then more recently as a member of the engineering team managing the design and build phase.
Peter Morris Medal
Laughlin’s focus on safe vessel management and operation has gained him industry recognition.
- In 2014 he was awarded the Peter Morris Medal by the Australian Maritime College for improving international maritime safety and personnel standards.
- In 2013 he received the Australian Antarctic Medal for outstanding service to the Australian Antarctic Program; and
- In 2006, he gained a Seacare Award for Best Individual Contribution to Safety.
From Tasmania, Laughlin has lived and worked in Hobart his whole life and is an alumnus from the University of Tasmania’s Australian Maritime College.
Clarke also has extensive experience in the Antarctic, having spent 11 years working for the British Antarctic Survey and undertaking more than 20 voyages to Antarctica.
Born and raised in the Falkland Islands, he began working for the British Antarctic Survey as a deck hand in 1994. He has always aspired to become the Master of an Antarctic research vessel.
Captain Paul Clarke
Clarke spent the last decade sailing as a Master for shipping company Solstad/Farstad in the oil and gas industry around Australia and many other parts of the world.
He brings with him valuable experience sailing in the ice and knowledge from the British Antarctic Survey that will complement and enhance the operation of the Nuyina.
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Source: Maritime Executive
