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 Inflatable 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 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 on Navy’s Enterprise approach goes beyond any mere transactional role.

Serco is keenly aware of the operational demands placed on military forces and recognises that the Defence Force is looking for dependable industry partners who will stand with them, work alongside them, learn with them, and work collectively to continuously improve and safeguard operational delivery no matter what the challenge.

Serco is proud of its long-standing partnership with the RAN in managing their RHIB fleet and stands ready to continue to support its customers into an ever changing and uncertain future.

BWOC graduates and Serco staff at the May graduation event.

Image courtesy NZDF.

Serco Delivers in Lockdown

Students of the Royal New Zealand Navy’s (RNZN) first Bridge Warfare Officer Course (BWOC) run by Serco Defence graduated at Devonport Naval Base, HMNZS PHILOMEL in May. The course includes theory and practical training focusing on leadership, resource management, time management and navigation, using a simulator.

The seven students received their certificates from Commodore Mat Williams, Maritime Component Commander, RNZN.

Serco provides a team of highly qualified and dedicated specialists to support RNZN Bridge Warfare Officer training. This contract is similar to Serco’s Training Support Services contract which has provided similar services for the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) at HMAS Watson in Sydney since 2012. RNZN officers have previously travelled to Sydney to take part in this training, but this is the first time the training has been available in Auckland.

Serco has worked in partnership with the RNZN to develop simulator training systems for officers to learn theoretical and practical skills critical to their Bridge Warfare Officer role. This includes navigation (including astronomical navigation), ship driving, leadership and bridge resource management.

The course, which began in January 2020, has taken longer to complete than anticipated, due to Auckland’s COVID-19 lockdowns. Serco staff were well prepared for the nationwide lockdown, identifying ways to deliver services remotely and managing restrictions on remote learning, such as learning material classifications.

Between March and May last year, Serco staff successfully delivered training services online. Our goal was to provide meaningful learning, using unclassified material that would enable each student to work towards their Bridge Warfare qualification.

It wasn’t all smooth sailing, but feedback from staff and students and a few tweaks to the programme resulted in a revised training schedule that was accepted by RNZN. Staff adapted well to the specific challenges posed by remote learning, including looking after their mental well-being.

Serco Defence Managing Director Clint Thomas said in addition to a celebration of the students’ success, the graduation marks a key milestone of Serco’s commitment to supporting the New Zealand Defence Force.

“I’m enormously proud of the care and pride demonstrated by the Serco team in providing essential navigation training to the next generation of naval officers and congratulate all students on their professional success especially when considered against the many challenges they have collectively and individually been required to navigate,” Mr Thomas said.