Buyers of the first of these barges commented:

“This Barge is the first design of its kind. The internal construction is a totally new marine engineering idea. I think the workmanship is tip top.  Build time is just 6 weeks which is a pretty good record for an Aussie company to achieve in this climate.” 

Project Manager and Designer for Harraps, Glen Barrett explained that the Barge is 14.5 metres long and 6.5metres wide and weighs 24.5 tonne. It is a Dumb Barge, so called because it has no engine and has to be moved by a Tug.

The new owners will use it to move project resources such as buildings, plant equipment and containers and we will use it for transport and as a floating jetty in Nauru. 

They further commented:

“It was good to work with everyone bringing everyone’s ideas and the actual experiences we had with the previous barge in Nauru”…." we all put our heads together to build something that was spot on for the Nauru project. "

The barge had to be designed taking variour factors into account – the rocky boat harbours and the fact there is no port or jetty; easy maintenance; and ability to cope with open waters to name a few.