Southern Ports officially welcomes first new pilot boat in a decade

Southern Ports officially named and welcomed its new $3.6 million cutting-edge pilot boat ‘Wardan’ to its Port of Bunbury fleet.

Officially named at a ceremony held at the Port of Bunbury today, Southern Ports CEO Keith Wilks said it was a terrific opportunity to celebrate the arrival of the new vessel – the first in over a decade.

“The Wardan is a fantastic addition to our fleet and will play a vital role in our operations, safely transporting our marine team to and from visiting vessels, to guide them in and out of the Port of Bunbury,” said Mr Wilks.

“Our marine team has been going from strength-to-strength.”

“Last year we added the pilot boat operations team to our organisation, expanding our Port-run marine services beyond marine pilotage,” said Mr Wilks. “The holistic approach to marine operations, creates efficiencies in our shipping services and supported another incredible year with 465 visiting trade vessels guided into and out of port.”

Wardan, which means sea water of Wardandi country, received its name after more than 800 entries were received into the local Pilot Boat Naming Competition.

One of the eight to suggest the name was Carmen Kurten who will receive a guided tour of the Port of Bunbury on Wardan.

“I knew that Wardan meant sea in Noongar and I thought that would be a great name given the connection to the Port,” said Carmen.

“The Port is a big part of our region, so I’m excited to see it up close and experience what it’s like to be on the pilot boat.”

The official naming celebration brought together competition winners, Southern Ports, its port users, Gnaala Karla Booja Aboriginal Corporation, Goomburrup Aboriginal Corporation, Wardandi Miya-K Kaadadjiny Aboriginal Corporation, Greater Bunbury Elders Group and key stakeholders for a smoking ceremony, blessing and the official naming of Wardan.

Replacing the 13-year-old Freycinet pilot boat, Wardan, built by Hart Marine, is a state-of-the-art pilot boat, that combines top-tier technology, safety and comfort all in a lightweight structure that will provide longevity and resilience in the harshest of marine conditions.

Southern Ports has now relocated the Freycinet to its Port of Esperance operations.