DEFENCE Serco: Reliability and innovation in RHIB fleet management J3 Rigid-Hulled Inflatable Boats (RHIBs) play an essential role in Royal Australian Navy operations, and Serco’s partnership with Zodiac Milpro has delivered continuous innovation and asset availability. A specialist Maritime Services Provider in the Asia Pacific region, Serco has been at the forefront of delivering exemplary asset management, asset acquisition and operational support services to the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) for over 20 years. One area in which Serco has supported the RAN in asset acquisition, management, maintenance, and service delivery is through the provision of Rigid Hull Inf latable Boats (RHIBs). Procured under the Contractor Asset Acquisition Programme (CAAP), Serco partnered with the Sydney based Zodiac Milpro to supply, manage and maintain an average force of 55 J3 model RHIBs, following a Fleet-wide upgrade from the J2 model starting in 2008. Throughout the CAAP, Serco has worked closely with Zodiac Milpro and the RAN to gather hard-won user input and design feedback for Zodiac to
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markedly improve the original J2 design and deliver the world class waterjet powered J3 Sea Boat. According to Serco Fleet Marine Services Contract (FMSC) Director Mark Shannon, the longstanding history between Serco and Zodiac has played a critical role in the continuing evolution of the design of the RHIBs. “That history of operational experience is critical. Over the last two decades, the RAN’s RHIBs have faced every operational scenario you could envisage, and through that experience, we’ve been able to continually adapt and modify the vessels to ensure that the Navy is getting the best asset available for missions at sea.” Zodiac Milpro Australia General Manager Craig Jordan said that innovations had been introduced to the J3 craft over the years to enhance safety and operational efficiency for Navy missions.
“The navigation and safety systems onboard the J3s have benefitted from continued advancements in marine technology. We work closely with Serco on a programme of continuous improvement to ensure the vessels are equipped with the latest technology to achieve peak performance.” “The RHIBs are a mission-critical asset, so the reliability of the vessels is crucial to ensure the RAN is ready for any and all contingencies,” said Mark. “The boats must be able to be launched, retrieved and recovered in many varied sea states.” To ensure the highest levels of asset availability can be met, Serco works with Zodiac Milpro on a series production of replacement vessels; maintaining and repairing the RHIBS, holding all spares that may be required, and providing the J3s to RAN Warships around the globe to ensure 24/7 mission readiness. However, high asset availability can only be translated into an output with suitably qualified personnel to operate and maintain them at sea. As part of the J3 management service, Serco provides RHIB operator training to RAN sailors and other ADF personnel. Since 2013, Serco has delivered a small boat maintenance course for uniformed personnel out of HMAS Creswell, Kuttabul, and Sterling. Since the establishment of the course, more than 200 sailors have successfully graduated with partial accreditation to an Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) Near Coastal Engineering qualification. Serco’s vast depth of RHIB and small vessel experience continues to serve as a testament to our ongoing commitment to partnering with our Military customers: our dedication to delivering Line of Defence
