The newest fisheries patrol vessel (FPV) in South Australia, FPV ‘Storm’ was officially launched today at PIRSA’s West Beach facility by Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Clare Scriven.
It will be used by Fisheries Officers to patrol inland and metropolitan waters adjacent to Adelaide, between Port Wakefield and the Coorong. It has been built with special capabilities to safely patrol inland waters and restricted sheltered waters around South Australia and has an operational patrol range of 300 km.
The new vessel boosts the capabilities of the Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA) to protect South Australia’s aquatic resources.
FPV 'Storm' has been named in honour of the much-loved South Australian film Storm Boy set in the Lakes and Coorong area, which will be one of its primary patrol regions.
The 6 m centre console vessel was custom built by local Adelaide manufacturer Nautic Star following a rigorous tender process. It is the sixth vessel to be built for PIRSA by Nautic Star.
PIRSA’s fleet of FPVs also includes the flagship 24 metre offshore patrol vessel, FPV ‘Southern Ranger’ with a range of 1000 nautical miles, and seven other multi-purpose, long-range patrol vessels based around the state.