Article

In 2000, RAN's Gordon Macdonald assessed the 35-metre Deepwater, a stern landing vessel, recognizing its capabilities in handling 472 tonnes of sand efficiently. Despite positive evaluations, the design was neglected due to budget cuts in 2013.

Seatransport, the design's owner, successfully operated Deepwater for various projects, demonstrating its versatility. Recently, the Australian Government awarded a AU$1.1 billion contract to Austal for bow landing crafts, while ignoring local innovations like Seatransport's SLV, which is used by 47 countries. This raises concerns about the RAN's adherence to best practices in defense procurement.