Closed ATM View - ATM000053
Charter of a Vessel to support turtle research trips
The Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (the Reef Authority) based in Townsville, in collaboration with the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service & Partnerships (QPWS&P) and Traditional Owners, are undertaking research on the northern Great Barrier Reef (nGBR) green turtles.
A suitable live-aboard charter vessel, with crew, capable of accommodating up to twelve (12) field staff (QPWS&P staff, GBRMPA staff, contractors and Traditional Owners), is required to support field trips to the northern GBR and the Torres Strait.
The charter vessel will be required to transport field research equipment and personnel, and serve as a live-aboard platform to support the capture and tag of turtles around reefs and islands for periods of up to at least fourteen (14) days.
The charter vessel is required for up to five (5) trips per calendar year. Each trip will either be to the nGBR (including Raine Island) or the Torres Strait.
Departure points for the trips can be negotiated, however, trips to the nGBR will most likely depart from Cairns and may include a stopover at Lockhart River or Portland Roads to pick up/ drop off several research team members from the Lockhart community. Trips to the Torres Strait would likely depart from Horn Island.
The area of operation in the nGBR are reefs/islands offshore between Portland Roads and Captain Billy Landing. In the Torres Strait operations will primarily be in (but not limited to) the eastern Torres Strait.
Departure dates will be negotiated once the supplier has been selected.
Planned field trips and dates (time periods) for 2022 and 2023:
2022:
|
Trip Location |
Start and End Location for Charter |
No. days (including transit) |
Planned date of trip |
|
Torres Strait |
Horn Island – Horn Island |
14 |
May - June |
|
nGBR region |
Cairns – Cairns |
14 |
Sept - Nov |
|
Torres Strait |
Horn Island – Horn Island |
14 |
Oct |
|
Raine Island |
Negotiable (either Cairns – Cairns or Horn Island – Horn Island) |
12 |
Oct |
2023:
|
Trip Location |
Start and End Location for Charter |
No. days |
Estimated date of trip |
|
nGBR |
Cairns – Cairns |
14 |
April |
|
Torres Strait |
Horn Island – Horn Island |
14 |
May |
|
nGBR |
Cairns – Cairns |
14 |
Nov |
|
Torres Strait |
Horn Island – Horn Island |
14 |
Sept |
|
Raine Island |
Negotiable (either Cairns – Cairns or Horn Island – Horn Island) |
12 |
Oct |
Specific Requirements include:
• The vessel should comfortably berth twelve (12) people (excluding vessel crew).
• Accommodation must comply with all relevant workplace health and safety requirements for accommodation, including the provision of hand sanitisers.
• Vessels will need to provide proof that they are compliant with all relevant Australian legislation and safety requirements for commercial operations, including but not limited to a current certificate of survey and insurances, and all crew hold required qualifications, tickets/licences.
• The vessel will be required to anchor near reefs/ sand cays.
• Vessel may be able to utilise mooring at Raine Island.
• Use of the vessel tender for transit of staff/contractors to and from islands
• Multiple transfers of field staff and equipment between the main vessel and islands will be required each day
• The charter vessel tenders will be operated by the contractor.
• Transfers will mainly occur during the day however a limited number of night-time transfers will be required.
• Transport of two QPWS research tenders (turtle catch boats) (to be driven by field staff).
• Turtle catch boats will need to be lifted and secured on board the vessel.
• Capacity to tow turtle catch boats for shorter distances between study sites is required.
• Each turtle catch boat has a total weight of 890kg and total length of 5m.
• Up to 400 litres of fuel (supplied by QPWS) for turtle catch boat outboard motors will need to be stored and carried by the charter vessel.
• Uninterrupted 240V power supply capable of running sample storage freezers and centrifuges.
• Food and water provision catering and a designated cook
• Food and water provided for field staff
• Must have the ability to cater for dietary requirements – based on notification provided two (2) weeks prior to departure
• Fresh fruit and other snacks will be available at all times for staff and/or contractors
• Most meals will be consumed on-board however snacks and meals should be able to be taken over to islands/cays on request, particularly lunches. At times staff/contractors may need to be able to take enough food and water for twelve hour shifts and this must be provided for (i.e. food and water containers etc.).
• Biosecurity
• A ‘dirty zone’ must be able to be provided on the area of the back deck of the vessel.
• A nally bin “Virkon” bath must be situated where tender transfers occur to allow footwear and other items to be dipped upon return to the vessel.
• Gear/equipment that has been taken to the island/cay should remain in the ‘dirty zone’ on the vessel.
• Upon leaving all islands/cays gear/equipment will be “Virkon” bathed.
• “Virkon” will be supplied by customer.
• Communications
• Supplier must provide details of on-board communications equipment and contact number/s for the vessel.
• Need to have communication in remote areas (i.e. satellite phones and radios).
• Communication must be provided between the main vessel, tenders and shore parties.
• Wi-Fi capability would be highly desirable but not essential.
• Sewage
• Sewage will not be able to be discharged while on mooring/anchor.
• Details of the sewage treatment system must be provided (either Grade A, B or C).
• If the vessel does not have Grade A sewage treatment, supplier must detail how sewage will be discharged within legislative requirements.
• Need to be able to operate in remote areas including the operational area of Princess Charlotte Bay north into and including the Torres Strait.
• Vessel needs to be able to carry sufficient fuel, fresh water, and food supplies for 14 day remote trips.
• A minimum cruise speed of 10 knots.
• Permissions
• Must have a Marine Parks permit with relevant permissions to access the Restricted Access Special Management Areas surrounding Raine Island — potential suppliers should provide their permit number in their response (only applicable when operating within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park and Great Barrier Reef Coastal Marine Park).
• COVID-19 Safe Plan
• All vessel crew are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 including booster shots (as applicable) and return a negative test within 72 hours prior to trip departure.
• Have in place a COVID plan to minimise the risk of COVID on the vessel. COVID plan to be agreed with the customer prior to the start of each trip.
As per attached Approach to Market/Request for Tender documentation. Potential tenderers must familairise themselves with all contents of the attached documentation to ensure compliance with tender, lodgement method and key dates and times. Failure to abide by the above, the mandatory requirements and all other information in the attached documentation will result in the tender concerned not being considered for this arrangement.
As per attached Approach to Market/Request for Tender documentation.
As per key dates and times in A.A.1 of attached Approach to Market/Request for Tender Documentation