A contract has been signed between the Defence Materiel Organisation (DMO) and Rosshaven Marine Pty Ltd (RHM) of Townsville for the refit of four Pacific Patrol Boats under a Life Extension Program (LEP).

The then Parliamentary Secretary for Defence Procurement, the Hon. Greg Combet MP, said the contract came with an option for the refit of up to a further seven vessels, making up the final 11 vessels of a 22 vessel overall LEP refit program.

“The Pacific Patrol Boats (PPB) were built and delivered between 1987 and 1997 and gifted to Pacific Island Nations for sovereignty protection, maritime surveillance and other national purposes including search and rescue and disaster relief,” Mr Combet said.

A decision was made in 2000 to extend the life of the vessels by conducting LEP refits which would extend the original life of the vessels from 15 to 30 years. 

Ten of the initial 11 LEP refits were under a previous contract with RHM. The new contract for the four LEP refits plus options for up to a further seven vessels resulted from competitive tendering, with RHM being selected as the preferred tenderer and subsequently the contractor following successful negotiations. 

“The first three vessels are scheduled to complete their refits in early January 2010 with the intention to have the remaining vessels LEP refitted by the end of 2012,” Mr Combet said. 

“Rosshaven Marine has advised that the Contract will ensure the engagement of about 60 employees in Townsville whilst also maintaining some subcontractor support in the region.”