The supply contract dictated that each of the four Yanmar powered Steber built boats be delivered by sea to the respective home port of each vessel.  It just so happened that the first vessel to be completed was destined for Darwin in Australia’s top end.

“Following extensive sea trials and pre delivery commissioning at Taree, the first of our boats powered off from Taree, to head north and across the top of Australia,” Alan Steber said.

“The delivery itself took 12 days at sea and covered a distance of some 2,500 nautical miles.  This is by far the longest and most involved sea delivery that Steber International has ever made in its 60 year history.”

The Australian Customs Service contract won by Steber International involved the construction of four medium patrol boats to be built and deployed at Darwin, Thursday Island, Weipa and Gove.  The function of the boats is help deal with illegal fishing, working in concert with Navy and other Customs vessels.

“The primary role of the Yanmar powered Steber boats is to transfer illegal foreign fishers from larger Navy and Customs vessels back to the Australian mainland,” said Alan Steber.  “Our boats need to be fast, have long range capabilities, stay at sea for lengthy periods and then carry not only the regular crew of four but a load of up to twelve apprehended fishers.”

The Steber model selected for the task was the 43’ model, with the mould blanked off at the 40’ mark. 

Yanmar marine diesel engines were selected for the task partly due to a highly successful track record of the Yanmar / Steber combination.   Dual Yanmar 6CX-GTYE engines were installed, each engine rated at 400 mhp at 2700 rpm.

“We have had a lot of experience with the Yanmar range of marine diesel engines in patrol craft having previously fitted Yanmar to Fisheries, Coastguard, Victorian Water Police and more recently NSW Water Police vessels.”

“We have fitted plenty of Yanmar engines also in pleasure craft and have not been disappointed yet!” Alan Steber said.

“The Yanmar 6CX-GTYE engines were specifically selected as they offered the best continuous power rating, 500hours service intervals and mechanical type engine controls. We also felt that the Yanmar aftermarket dealer support network through the top end of Australia was the best.”

Also in the pristine engine room is a MASE I.S. 8 gen set.  Also powered by a Yanmar diesel engine, the Steber has ample quiet electrical power to remain at sea for extended periods.

The boats manufactured for the Australian Customs Service have been built to 2C Survey specifications.

“We understand that this Steber model won the contract as they not only offered the Government good value for money, but it is also the biggest boat on the market that a Coxswain can operate.  A vessel any bigger would require a Class 5 skipper to be at the helm, and remote parts of Australia, skippers with this ticket can be difficult to find.”

 From a performance perspective the Steber is an impressive vessel.  It carries a lot of beam and handles big green seas particularly well.

With the pair of Yanmar diesels in the engine room powering the 17 tonne rig along, a top speed of 27 knots is achieved at WOT.  Sea trials confirm that the optimum cruise speed is at 2400 rpm for a sprightly speed of 20 knots.

Each of the Steber boats will be delivered as they come off the production line, with all four boats scheduled to be in service by December 2007.

Power Equipment is the exclusive and authorised Australian Distributor of Yanmar Marine and Industrial Diesel Engines importing product from Yanmar plants in Japan, Asia, USA and Europe.

For further information on this story contact:

Michael Blair
National Marine Sales Manager
Power Equipment Pty Ltd
Tel (03) 9764 0711
Fax (03) 9764 0678
Email power.equipment@yanmar.com.au