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Flying the flag over Australia’s new icebreaker

The Australian flag is flying on the nation’s new icebreaker RSV Nuyina (noy-yee-nah) for the first time after a ceremony in the Netherlands yesterday.

The event in Vlissingen was the official transfer of the ship from its European build team, marking the final stage of a 1900-day journey from contract signing to handover.

The design and build of the vessel has been a multi-national effort between the Australian Antarctic Division, the vessel operator Serco, Danish concept designers Knud E Hansen, Dutch engineering and detailed design team Damen, and the construction team at Damen Shipyards Galati in Romania.

RSV Nuyina will now undergo some final preparations ahead of its eight-week journey to its new home port of Hobart.

Antarctic Flagship
Three men on the deck of a ship centred round a folded up Australia flag smiling to camera. Two men are in naval uniform.
Master Gerry O’Doherty, Chief Mate Robbie Darvall and Australian Ambassador Matthew Neuhaus about to raise the Australian flag on RSV Nuyina. (Photo: Australian Antarctic Division)
A large red research vessel plowing through the waves
RSV Nuyina undertaking sea trials in the North Sea. (Photo: Flying Focus/AAD)
A man in a naval uniform explaining some instruments on a ship bridge to a man and a woman.
Master Gerry O’Doherty explains the instruments to the Australian Ambassador Matthew Neuhaus and his wife Angela Neuhaus. (Photo: Australian Antarctic Division)

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