KOOMBANA at launch with the builders on the foredeck

Images(3)

Koombana

Vessel numberHV000326

Vessel Registration NumberDPI WA 1564

Builder West Australian Department of Harbour & Lights

Date1961

DimensionsVessel Dimensions: 10.66 m x 10 m x 3.19 m x 1.44 m, 10.47 tonnes (34.98 ft x 32.81 ft x 10.47 ft x 4.72 ft, 10.64 tons)

DescriptionKOOMBANA is10.6 metres long with a canoe stern hull form. It was built over a two year period to an unknown design by Harbour and Lights Department shipwrights Jeff Beal, Ted and Luke Botica, and apprentice Ian Leonard. The hull is planked in jarrah and the decks are meranti from Papua New Guinea. The builders scoured the State's forests for appropriate trees for various parts of the craft, including the grown knees and stem and KOOMBANA has a very strongly built hull. The builders often worked on the vessel in their spare time.

KOOMBANA was built as the pilot vessel for the small regional port of Bunbury and has remained in service there for over forty years, except for a short period when it was loaned to nearby Geraldton. At Bunbury it has also served as a rescue craft assisting vessels in difficult and dangerous conditions. The name has an association with the area, including Koombana beach.

KOOMBANA has been well maintained over the years and in 2009 remained in good condition in 2C Survey, limited to operating no more than 60km offshore. It was retired in 2011.The vessel has had a number of engines; two Listers in the early years, then a series of four Perkins diesels up to the present day. KOOMBANA's appearance was changed when it went to Geraldton where most of the bulwarks were removed.
SignificanceKOOMBANA is a wooden Pilot Vessel that has operated in Western Australia since 1961, seeing most of its service with the Bunbury Port Authority until retired in 2011. Built by the West Australian Harbour and Lights Department it is an example of boatbuilding projects which were undertaken in-house by public service staff with the requisite skills.