TasPorts' Bell Bay fleet consists of one pilot launch and two tugs, as well as work boats and barges.
Bell Bay is one of four major ports located around Tasmania where TasPorts provides pilotage and harbour towage services.
The tugs servicing the Port of Bell Bay are berthed at Inspection Head, while the pilot launch is based at Australia's oldest pilot station at Low Head.
For more detailed information about vessel specifications, visit our TasPorts Fleet page.
The Paterson was the first in a series of new generation, purpose-built pilot boats to be deployed in the TasPorts fleet.
Used to ensure the safe transfer of our Marine Pilots to and from large ships, Paterson is a French design, built by Australian company Hart Marine. The vessel is 16 metres in length with a top speed of 27 knots.
An essential safety feature is Paterson’s self-righting capability, as well as a state-of-the-art infrared camera to assist with the identification of smaller vessels or people in the water in the event of a man overboard.
The vessel is named after William Paterson, an early explorer in the Tamar region.
The tugs servicing the Port of Bell Bay are berthed at Inspection Head, Beauty Point - a community use waterfront asset owned and maintained by TasPorts.
Risdon Cove started her Tasmanian career in Hobart, after being purchased from South Korea in 1998.
Built in 1993, the tug has a bollard pull of 28 tonnes and operates with two Aquamaster azmuithing thrusters.
Contracted from KOTUG, RT Force is the first Rotortug operating on the East Coast of Australia. The Rotortug is one of the most capable tugs in the industry and is utilised by some of the world’s largest ports to manage risk and optimise shipping.
Unlike a traditional tug, RT Force utilises a three-thruster design, which provides greater maneuverability and improved response time.
Built in 2010, she has a bollard pull capacity of 80 tonnes and is 32 metres in length.
RT Sensation has joined the Bell Bay fleet, working alongside her sister vessel RT Force, to serve TasPorts’ operations. The arrival of this 80-tonne bollard pull tug is further demonstration for TasPorts commitment to continually manage marine risk and enhance services provided to customers.
Built in 2013, she 32 metres in length and is equipped with three Z-drive propulsion units to give her unique maneuvering characteristics.