BAREKI heading off from the ANMM under new ownership in 2012

Images(4)

A view of the underbody of BAREKI while on the slips for routine maintenance.

Bareki

Vessel numberHV000028

Builder Maritime Services Board of New South Wales

Previous owner Maritime Services Board of New South Wales

Designer Arthur Swinfield

Previous owner Australian National Maritime Museum

Date1962

DimensionsVessel Dimensions: 12.39 m x 4.36 m x 2.13 m (40.65 ft x 14.3 ft x 7 ft)
Engine dimensions: 210 kilowatts, 12 No (281.61 horsepower)

DescriptionBAREKI was built at Goat Island by the Maritime Services Board of NSW for their use in 1962. The name is believed to be an Aboriginal word for water. It was the last wooden tug in service with the MSB when it was retired. BAREKI was in survey to Class VII, as a vessel for restricted sea-going non- passenger service, and able to be operated up to 30 nautical miles off the coast. The tug was able to be used along the coast of NSW between Newcastle and Port Kembla and carried general towage duties. A particular task was associated with the drege services, where BAREKI was employed to tow the 300-tonne hoppers to sea to dump spoil.

The plans for the hull came from a World War II tug design by shipwright Arthur Swinfield, designed for the Department of Munitions. The MSB created their own superstructure arrangement with a deckhouse and wheelhouse above. The deckhouse contained a mess-room with basic galley facilities and a head. It has a 210 kw 12 cylinder diesel engine for propulsion.

From 1990 until 2012 BAREKI belonged to the Australian National Maritime Museum's Fleet section who operated the vessel as a general duties workboat, whilst conserving and maintaining it as an historic vessel. It has since been sold in 2012 to a private owner who will be maintaining it as a heritage craft.
SignificanceBAREKI is a wooden tug built in 1962 in NSW. It was built to an Australian design, adapted from American tow boat designs, and many were built in World War II. It was one of the last wooden tugs still operating as a workboat in 2011. It has had a close association with Sydney, Newcastle. Port kembla and Botany Bay.