Greenpeace Oceania refit for purpose
by The Boat Works 18 Jul 2024 19:08 BST
24-metre ketch, Oceania © The Boat Works
Greenpeace unveiled its first vessel dedicated to campaigning in Australia-Pacific waters in a jubilant naming ceremony at The Boat Works.
The relaunch of the 24-metre ketch, Oceania, a cruising vessel refit for the specific purpose of environmental campaigning, was held Monday 15 July at The Boat Works, Coomera, on Queensland's Gold Coast.
Gathered for the milestone event were David Ritter, CEO, Greenpeace Australia Pacific, Greenpeace staff, volunteers, crew, the team from Chapman and skilled trades involved in the complex refit project - all proud to commemorate the start of a new era in campaigning and research for the globally-recognised organisation.
The multi-skilled team from Chapman have an established presence in Sydney and recently opened their Queensland headquarters at The Boat Works in the newly built boutique premises known as "The Wharf".
Greenpeace's Australian vessel, previously called Jaipur, was sourced in Cannes where Captain Daniel Rizzotti carried out sea trials and a through survey before purchase. He sailed the craft from France to Italy, from where it was shipped to Singapore. Captain Daniel then rejoined the vessel with a skeleton crew who sailed it to Australia.
In Sydney, Captain Daniel made contact with Cooper Chapman, founder and CEO of Chapman - the full-service yacht management and refit company with project management expertise drawn from dozens of superyacht projects over the past decade.
After detailed briefing, setting priorities for the refit, budgeting and timelines, the Chapman Gold Coast team, headed up by Managing Director, Sam Eyles, oversaw every facet of the refit at The Boat Works, working with the skilled trades on-site to get the job done within the seven-week timeframe and to budget.
The scope of works involved removing the all the rigging to service from top to bottom including standing and running rigging, then reinstalled, installation of a through-hull bow thruster, a new helm with wheel, the latest electronics and navigation equipment, a hardtop over the aft deck, alterations to the galley, bunk bed accommodation for up to 15 crew, overhaul of engine, generator and running gear, four solar panels, Starlink satellite communication system, custom fabricated tender cradles, new windows, and repairing and repainting the hull in Greenpeace green with the rainbow and dove motifs.
Another crucial part of the refit was the repair and installation of a lifting centreboard which will allow Oceania to access shallow waters in rivers, reefs and sensitive marine environments.
The entire project undertaken at The Boat Works, Gold Coast took just seven weeks - a phenomenal achievement given the complexity of each aspect of the refit.
Speaking about the pace and efficiency of the project, Sam Eyles commented, "The Boat Works is the boating hub of Australia where there are quality trades and a talented team on-site, all working collectively as a team with a great 'can-do' attitude to every challenge.
"I am proud of the Chapman team who put in so many hours around the clock to get the project completed within the deadline and to budget. It was a pleasure and privilege to work with Captain Daniel, whose knowledge, experience and input were highly valuable, and I look forward to continuing that relationship moving forward."
Tony Longhurst, CEO at The Boat Works, commented, "We are thrilled with the historic achievement of the refit and launch of Oceania, which perfectly aligns with our ethos and the values of our yachting community.
"We and our boating customers are all mindful custodians of the waterways. We congratulate Greenpeace Australia Pacific and wish them well in their campaigns."
Tony continued, "The Boat Works are immensely proud and privileged to have the exceptionally talented Chapman group as valued partners within our world-class superyacht yard and marina.
"Chapman's meticulous coordination has led to an outstanding transformation of Oceania."
According to David Ritter, CEO, Greenpeace Australia Pacific, the freshly refit Oceania "will chart a new course in Greenpeace's at-sea legacy".
"Oceania will enable Greenpeace to increase their at-sea activity over some of the world's most beautiful and ecologically precious waters, from the Great Barrier Reef to Western Australia's Scott Reef, to the South Tasman Sea and the waters of Pacific Island nations.
"Our region's magnificent oceans face severe threats including offshore gas drilling, deep sea mining, overfishing, plastic pollution and climate damage. The launch of Oceania creates a dynamic new capacity for Greenpeace to expose, document and peacefully confront these and other threats to the oceans in our region.
"Oceania is a game-changer," explained Captain Daniel Rizzotti. "We will use Oceania to do what Greenpeace does best: bear witness, collaborate with communities and take peaceful direct action against big polluters. With almost 50 years of at-sea campaigning in our wake, Oceania charts a new course in Greenpeace Australia Pacific's legacy.
"Australia and the Pacific are some of the most beautiful and precious places on earth, but also the most vulnerable. Oceania will be a beacon, a spotlight and a messenger.
"Its environmentally friendly refit means we leave a small footprint doing big work."
For its inaugural campaign, Oceania will set sail next week for Broome, Western Australia, where it will stand with communities against Woodside's Burrup Hub project, the largest proposed fossil fuel project in Australia today. According to Greenpeace, if this project gets the green light, the Burrup Hub could emit more than 6.1 billion tonnes of carbon emissions over its lifetime to 2070, fuelling the climate catastrophe already impacting Australian and Pacific communities.
More at theboatworks.com.au and chapmanyachting.com.