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ORF’s first Antarctic expedition in 1977-78 was undertaken in Solo, a 55 foot steel ex-racing yacht. While the expedition was successful, ORF considered that Solo was unsuitable for future expeditions as it only had six berths, her cockpit was open and she had insufficient freeboard. A more suitable vessel had to be found for ORF’s future expeditions. The Dick Smith Explorer was found in Lavender Bay, Sydney Harbour, by the Foundation prior to preparations in 1981 for its Mawson Anniversary Expedition to Antarctica. It was then a motor fishing vessel named Tunney. The Herreshoff design and all steel construction attracted her to the ORF Board. She was a 65 foot long-liner superbly constructed in quarter-inch steel with a six foot unladen draft that has since proved to be beneficial for entering shallow uncharted bays. Her cross-section is steeply V-ed so that ice pressure squeezes her upwards rather than crushes her hull. The Dick Smith Explorer has proved to be very sound; she has completed five Antarctic expeditions, including wintering over in the Antarctic on the ice and has circumnavigated Australia. She has endured all conditions, mountainous seas and has sailed through uncharted shallow bays in the Australian tropics. A refit campaign was started in the mid nineties, with restoration work commencing in the Hawkesbury River. The ship sailed in 1997 to its mooring at the Polly Woodside Melbourne Maritime Museum on the banks of the Yarra River where the restoration is continuing. The Foundation’s vessel is available for scientific expeditions requiring access to remote areas at a much lower cost than the conventional research vessels. The vessel’s dual sailing and motoring capabilities provide unique cost-efficiencies, using wind or power as opportune. Its long keel makes it sea-kindly. A shallow draft enables it to operate conveniently in estuarine waters, as well as marine waters. The ship will be comfortably fitted out to accommodate ten to twelve expeditioners. The dimensions of the vessel are Length 20 metres Beam 3.6 metres Draft 2.1 metres The main engine is a 140 horsepower Caterpillar with a twin disc hydraulic gearbox. Electric power is available in both 12 V and 24 V DC and 240 V AC. The vessel is equipped with radar, satellite navigation, GPS, HF and VHF radios and depth sounder. Standard safety equipment is carried. Aluminium and inflatable tenders are carried on deck. The vessel carries an all up complement of 10 Expeditioners, made up of the skilled crew including master, engineer, mate, navigator and cook. The Dick Smith Explorer is currently being refitted with the generous support of many volunteers and donors. |