Page 18 - Defence Industry Guide #56 2022

18 DEFENCE NEWS
ADM’s Defence Industry Guide 2022 | Edition 56 | www.defencesuppliers.com.au
SERCO CELEBRATES SUCCESS OF FIRST ANTARCTIC SEASON
SERCO joined Australian Antarctic Division (AAD) representatives and Sussan Ley, former Minister for the Environment, in Hobart in April to celebrate the success of this year’s Antarctic season with RSV Nuyina.
From station refuelling to helicopter operations, delivery of equipment and supplies, and the safe transportation of expeditioners, Serco has supported Antarctic and marine science activities across Australia’s research stations.
Serco Maritime Managing Direc- tor Clint Thomas said Serco is proud to play such an important role in sup- porting Australia’s Antarctic Program, leading AAD Southern Ocean voyages over the summer.
“Serco’s operation of the Nuyina en- sured vital Antarctic operations and research could take place throughout the season,” Thomas said.
“Serco successfully supported two Southern Ocean voyages this season,
which achieved a number of exciting ‘firsts’, and tested the vessel’s capabili- ties in some of the world’s most formi- dable conditions.”
On the most recent voyage, Serco and AAD teams reportedly delivered 100 tonnes of regular resupply cargo plus 350 tonnes of building supplies and a specialist trades team to commence on- ground works for the AAD’s Macquarie Island Modernisation Program.
“Offloading a large amount of car- go piece-by-piece from Nuyina onto amphibious vehicles that navigate through surf, drive up the rough and rocky terrain carrying material to the station is no easy feat, yet our expert crew worked with watercraft operators to ensure this vital operation was com- pleted successfully.”
In addition to completing these op- erational activities, Serco played a role in a number of important scientific dis- coveries made by AAD expeditioners.
ABOVE: RSV Nuyina is a $1.91 billion investment over 30 years.
“Being part of the discovery of a previously unknown canyon, which is more than 2,200 metres deep, 2,000 metres wide and at least 55 kilometres long, is exciting and certainly a memo- rable experience for our crew.
“To then map the summit of a 2,500-metre-high underwater moun- tain, which is higher than Mount Kos- ciuszko, really brings to light the capa- bility of this incredible ship.”
RSV Nuyina is a $1.91 billion in- vestment over 30 years by the Austra- lian Government and forms the cen- trepiece of the Australian Antarctic Program. Serco Australia project man- aged the overall ship design and build process and will operate and maintain the vessel for up to 30 years from its home port of Hobart.
AAD VIA TWITTER