20 years of the FPV Southern Ranger
Thursday 13 November 2025 Quarterly Catch
October 2025 marked a significant milestone for PIRSA’s Fisheries and Aquaculture division, with the Fishery Patrol Vessel (FPV) Southern Ranger celebrating 20 years of service.
Delivered to PIRSA Fisheries and Aquaculture on 5 September 2005, the 22-metre vessel has since played a vital role in protecting and managing South Australia’s marine waters. For 2 decades, the Southern Ranger has been a cornerstone in fisheries compliance, marine research support, and collaborative patrols with peer agencies across the state’s 5000 km coastline.
Over its lifetime, the vessel has achieved impressive milestones, having:
- completed 240 patrols, equating to nearly 1920 days at sea
- travelled more than 230,000 nautical miles, the equivalent of circling the globe over 10 times
- conducted countless recreational fishing checks and offshore commercial vessel inspections, ensuring compliance with fisheries regulations and maintaining South Australia’s sustainable fishing resources
- provided training opportunities for fisheries officers and peer marine-agency staff from around Australia
- supported collaboration with a range of agencies, including SARDI, Biosecurity, SA Police, Australian Border Force, Marine Parks Australia, Australian Fisheries Management Authority, Sea Rescue, and the National Parks and Wildlife Service.
Beyond its operational achievements, the Southern Ranger has served as a true home away from home for its crews. Equipped with a drive on/drive off 5.4m tender vessel on the rear deck, 4 cabins, 8 berths, a desalination plant, and a galley, the vessel accommodates officers and staff during an average of 15 trips each year. Crews can spend extended periods at sea—up to 10 continuous days—often working in challenging conditions around the clock to ensure the sustainability of South Australia’s marine environment.
The Southern Ranger’s legacy is not only in the miles travelled and inspections carried out, but in the dedicated people who crewed her over the past 20 years. Their efforts contributed to ensuring that South Australia’s fisheries remain sustainably managed, and its marine environments protected for future generations.
As the vessel enters its third decade of service, PIRSA celebrates both the enduring contribution of the Southern Ranger and the commitment of the teams who continue to keep her mission alive.
Banner image, left to right: Fisheries officers Les Parsons, Matt Read, and Mick Cresshull (2005)