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Aurora Australis

The Aurora Australis is a highly sophisticated multi purpose vessel which is designed to fulfil the role of a research, supply expedition vessel capable of operating in tropical and polar regions. The Aurora Australis is classified with Lloyd's Register of Shipping as +100A1, LMC, UMS, DP(CM), 1A SUPER ICEBREAKER. Letter of compliance to Canadian Arctic Pollution Prevention Regulations for class 2 with class 3 hull strength fore and aft.

P&O Polar is incorporated in New South Wales, Australia. P&O Polar is a wholly owned/limited liability subsidiary of P&O Australia Ltd., which in turn is a wholly owned subsidiary of DP World. The Company was created in 1988 to be primarily engaged in the disponent ownership and management of the Research & Supply Vessel, Aurora Australis. The Aurora Australis was constructed against a ten year time charter awarded to P&O Polar Australia Pty Ltd by the Australian Antarctic Division of the Commonwealth Government of Australia. The award of the charter to P&O Polar followed an exhaustive public tender which commenced in 1986. The tender submission by P&O Polar Australia Pty Ltd offered both design (Wartsila), and a research system lease arrangement. The Australian Antarctic Division awarded a letter of intent to enter into a contract based on the P&O Polar design in late 1987.

The Australian Government required the construction of the vessel in Australia and Carrington Slipways were selected after final negotiations. This building contract was signed on the 17th July, 1988 and the time charter on the 13th October, 1988. The vessel was delivered on the 30th March, 1990 and began the first year of a ten year charter in October of that year. A second contract was entered in 1999 for a further period.

The design characteristics of the vessel which enable it to perform the various research roles are: An automatic dynamic positioning system with DGPS reference and a joystick controlled manoeuvring system of one transverse bow thruster and two retractable azimuth stern thrusters, in addition to the main propeller and rudder, which will enable the vessel to be manoeuvred accurately in confined waters and to maintain a position when undertaking operations. The azimuth stern thrusters are designed to enable accurate slow speed operations with low waterborne noise levels. An extensive research instrumentation system of sensors and data logging/processing computers primarily installed in a dedicated Instrument room, with network access throughout vessel. A total of nine laboratories with dedicated (meteorology, oceanography, biomass) and general roles. A total of eight further laboratory containers can be carried and integrated to the vessel's systems.

The Aurora Australis is designed to transport expeditioners to and from isolated bases and camps as well as accommodate chatterer's support staff and general representatives during research voyages and other expeditions. The vessel is designed to undertake this role by incorporation of the following features: Berths for 116 expeditioners berthed in a combination of single, double, triple and quadruple berth cabins, all with private facilities. Restaurant, galley, servery and provision spaces designed for the efficient support of the ship's total complement. Recreation facilities including a quiet recreation space, bar, video/music systems, gymnasium and sauna. Hospital including operating room, consulting room and sick bay. The design also incorporates a stabilising system to reduce the rolling amplitude of the vessel and thereby increase the comfort and efficiency of the ship's complement.

The Aurora Australis incorporates design features for cargo supply including: Cargo hold forward of 1700 cbm capacity designed for break bulk and/or containerised cargo. Deck and hatch space forward designed for container and equipment stowage. 3 cranes of 25/31, 7/13 and 2 tonne SWL for cargo handling. The 25/31 tonne crane also incorporates a high speed 5 tonne hook for efficient cargo operations in open roadsteads. 2 forklifts of 5 and 2 tonne SWL for cargo transfer and handling.