Maintaining Technical Integrity of the Royal Australian Navy's Survey Motor Boats

摘要

The Royal Australian Navy (RAN) provides the nation's hydrographic survey capability in order to meet defence requirements and international obligations under the IMO SOLAS convention. To achieve this capability, the RAN operates two LEEUWIN and four PALUMA class vessels with a fleet of seven FANTOME class Survey Motor Boats (SMBs). The SMBs are embarked on the LEEUWIN class vessels and are typically deployed to survey areas that are difficult, dangerous or even impossible for the larger ships to navigate. The SMBs were constructed by Pro Marine, Melbourne, in accordance with Lloyd's Register Yacht and Small Craft Rules and under survey for Hull Construction Certification. The first batch was built from 1992 to 1994 with two follow on boats delivered in 1998. They are constructed of marine grade aluminium alloy, much of which is now exceeding 25 years old. Although a vital part of the RAN hydrographic survey capability, the SMBs represent an ongoing risk due to operational and maintenance effects, obsolescence and technological development as well as changes to legislation and their certification basis. Remediation through managed engineering change is used to control these risks and maintain the boats in a safe and operational condition. This paper will outline the broad range of engineering activities undertaken on the SMBs including structural alterations, weight remediation, upgrades to safety systems, and updates to hydrographic survey equipment. It also describes the systems engineering approach introduced to better define requirements and to manage engineering change activities in order to maintain and assure technical integrity (i.e. seaworthiness).