North Marine was engaged by Aestra to provide offshore support services for personnel undertaking weed management activities on Willis Island, located approximately 450 kilometres east of Cairns in the Coral Sea.

Using M.V. Komodo as the primary support platform, North Marine transported personnel to and from the island, provided onboard accommodation and catering, and conducted daily tender transfers between the vessel and the island. The operation allowed personnel to safely undertake field activities while remaining accommodated offshore throughout the project.

Scope of Work

North Marine provided marine transport, offshore accommodation and operational support services for personnel working on Willis Island. Services included personnel transfers between Cairns and Willis Island, onboard accommodation and catering aboard Komodo, daily tender operations between the vessel and the island, and logistical support for the duration of the campaign.

The project required detailed voyage planning, coordination of personnel movements and the safe execution of daily transfer operations in a remote offshore environment.

Project Highlights

• Offshore support provided for Aestra’s weed management program
• Personnel transport between Cairns and Willis Island
• Accommodation and catering provided aboard M.V. Komodo
• Daily tender transfers between vessel and island
• Operations conducted approximately 450 km offshore in the Coral Sea
• Experienced crew and dedicated support vessel
• Safe and reliable access to a remote field work location

Key Considerations

• Remote Offshore Location – Willis Island is located approximately 450 km east of Cairns in the Coral Sea, requiring detailed voyage planning, self-sufficiency and reliable vessel capability.
• Weather and Sea Conditions – Transfer operations and vessel movements must be carefully planned around prevailing weather, sea state and swell conditions, which can change rapidly offshore.
• Island Access Limitations – Access to Willis Island is dependent on suitable conditions for tender operations, requiring flexibility in daily work planning and personnel movements.
• Personnel Support and Accommodation – Personnel were accommodated onboard M.V. Komodo for the duration of the project, requiring the provision of comfortable accommodation, catering and support services in a remote environment.
• Daily Transfer Operations – Safe and efficient transfer of personnel between the mothership and the island was critical to maintaining productivity and minimising downtime throughout the campaign.
• Logistical Coordination – The project required coordination of personnel, equipment, vessel operations and daily work activities to ensure field teams could safely undertake weed management works ashore.
• Environmental Management – Operations were conducted within a sensitive and environmentally significant marine environment, requiring strict adherence to environmental and biosecurity requirements.