Vessel Mobilisation

In 2012, the Department of Defence purchased the under-construction vessel OSV Skandi Bergen from DOF Subsea. OSV Skandi Bergen entered Royal Australian Navy (RAN) service in mid-2012 as the civilian-crewed Australian Defence Vessel (ADV) Ocean Shield. Ocean Shield was transferred from RAN to ABF in mid-2016.

Seaforce was responsible for the design, procurement, construction and certification of modifications to Ocean Shield to deliver the capability ABF required in their new vessel. This large, complex project included an design and installation of an offshore hospital incorporating operating theatre and wards; additional satellite and VHF/UHF communications systems; extensive computer networks; accommodation for 150 passengers; upgraded lifesaving equipment and upgraded fire and safety arrangements.


Demonstrating the breadth of Seaforce’s capability, the project successfully completed a complex acquisition process: achieving certification, acceptance and handover of operations while maintaining configuration control in the midst of large modifications throughout the vessel.