The Tiwi Islands Regional Council (TIRC) currently operates a single vehicle and passenger landing craft (known as the interisland ferry) which plays a crucial role in connecting the two Tiwi Islands, Bathurst and Melville. We wish to upgrade to a two vehicle and passenger landing craft.

The environment of the Aspley Strait can be very demanding. The Strait presents a number of operational challenges including up to 8 metre tides, strong currents, unpredictable weather, winds and swells. The landing craft must be robust and strong enough to transport heavy loads and durable enough to manage the environment and operational conditions, including repeated landings and loading/unloading vehicles onto a variety of surfaces such as gravel, mud, sand and concrete surfaces.

The successful tenderer will also supply a suitable trailer that can be used to pull the vessel out of the water for maintenance and inspections.

The craft must be capable of transporting two land cruiser troop carriers and a minimum of 12 passengers and 2 crew across the Aspley Strait. When the vessel is not transporting vehicles, it must be able to legally transport a minimum of 36 passengers and crew only.

The craft could have either inboard or outboard motors

The entrance gate to the vessel must be strong and robust, designed to consider repeated beach landings and the variety of forces that will be applied to the ramp from different directions.

The vessel must be built to meet national maritime law requirements for survey class 1D and 2D, with survey certificate to be provided on handover. The vessel must be suitable to be skippered by Coxswain Near Coastal qualification.

The vehicle must come equipped with all suitable safety and survey equipment including buoyancy and lifebuoy equipment, onboard communication and alarm systems, navigational equipment, emergency electrical equipment and various miscellaneous equipment such as bilge pumps, anchors and cables.