The Minister for Education, Science and Training, the Hon Julie
Bishop MP and Mr Peter Lindsay, the Federal Member for Herbert, today
announced that the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) has
commissioned Tenix Defence Systems Pty Ltd to build a state-of-the-art
research vessel.
The RV Solander will be built by Tenix to replace the RV
Lady Basten which will be retired after 30 years of service.
"The Lady Basten has served AIMS well and the new vessel
will take Australia’s marine scientists into a new phase of
leading-edge ocean research," Minister Bishop said.
"I congratulate Tenix Defence Systems on their success in securing
this important contract."
Mr Lindsay, whose electorate of Herbert is home to AIMS, welcomed
the signing of the contract and said it confirmed the Australian
Government’s commitment to research.
"This is a key investment in research infrastructure by the
Australian Government and is crucial to the future activities of AIMS
and their capacity to undertake research of national significance in
the waters of northern and north-west Australia," Mr Lindsay said.
The new vessel will be named after Dr Daniel Solander, a Swedish
scientist who was commissioned by Joseph Banks as a naturalist on
board the Endeavour expedition led by James Cook, and is
expected to be launched in late 2007.
The RV Solander will operate in an area extending from the
Great Barrier Reef in Queensland to Ningaloo Reef in Western Australia
supporting research into the shelf ecosystems of north and north-west
Australia.
The Australian Government is providing AIMS with $5.5 million from
the Government’s National Collaborative Research Infrastructure
Strategy towards the overall costs of the $12.5 million vessel.
Media Contacts:
Minister Bishop’s Office:
Murray Hansen tel: 0417 886 155
Dept of Education, Science & Training:
Media Unit tel: (02) 6240 7300
Non-media queries tel: 1300 363 079
CEO Australian Institute of Marine Science
Dr. Ian Poiner tel: (07) 4753 4478
