Royal Australian Navy Ignores Advice on Innovative Stern Landing Vessel Design
The Royal Australian Navy's Director of Naval Platforms, Gordon Macdonald, praised the innovative design of the 35-metre Deepwater vessel in 2000 for its superior capabilities in beaching and cargo extraction. Despite its advantages, including a capacity for 472 tonnes of sand and successful project cargo operations, the design was sidelined due to budget cuts in 2013. Recently, the Australian Government awarded a AU$1.1 billion contract to Austal for bow landing craft, raising questions about the Navy's procurement strategy and the consideration of local innovations.
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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.
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