The tug, AT 2700 JOE MANN was found by Garry McIvor after many years being missing presumed doing what old tugs do. Now John Neely, an ex Joe Mann Skipper has by quirk of fate been reunited with his old charge and and found her matured but little the worse for the intervening years. His report in full;
So there you have it. The Joe Mann continues her working life under new colours. I’m sure quite a few members served on her and would be pleased to know that she’s still in good shape. Still waiting on news of the fate of the LUKE?First some background,I served with 35 Sqn from 1988 to 93 as a Seaman and Skipper on the ’Joe’, LCM-8s and the Larc-5s. In 93 I was posted to the SASR, operating the RIBs and in 95 posted to 2 Cdo in Williamstown, Melbourne.
In 1998 I discharged from full time service. I stayed on as a Reserve until 2001.
In recent years I have been employed in Melbourne as a Master on a freelance basis on every type of vessel in the place. Even on the old 40ft workboats coverted to ferry use!
In October 07 I was employed by the Korevaar Marine Group as a Master. The company operates a fleet of Bunker barges, Tugs and workboats.
Most of my time is spent on ’Bunker V’, a 50m, 1000 tonne capacity self propelled barge refuelling container ships with heavy fuel oil. However, a good portion of my time is spent on the Tugs ’Fury’ and ’Vital’.
Last week I was approached by the company owner Johannes (John) Korevaar and was asked to put a crew together and fly to Sydney to deliver to Melbourne a ’new’ tug he had purchased.
The vessels’ name was the ’Joe Mann’!
I couldn’t believe my ears!
On arrival at the Lugarno Marina, all present were somewhat concerned and let down about the condition and sea-worthiness of the ’ Joe’. She had been let go in recent years but old John Korevaar was adamant that the vessel was ok and that she was a ’nice little tug ’!
After a few days of frantically making the boat ready for sea which included a quick slip, waterblast and hull inspection and a full safety audit.(which included purchase of a new liferaft, installation of Inmarsat-C comms and a new Navigation package) We put to sea.
As the ’Joe’ has the range to get to NZ on full tanks, the aim was to sail to Melbourne non-stop, taking advantage of the weather window presenting itself.
On departure from Port Botany at 0600 on 01 Jun 08, the weather conditions were ordinary, with unforecast winds 20 kn from the ESE. We pressed on Southwards, punching into an annoying 2m swell when the auto-pilot packed it in.
Sadly, I was reminded that the ’Joe’ was like a torpedo when going into a short head sea and that a good deal of physical fitness (which I no longer possess) was required to keep the old girl in a straight line! This was exacerbated by the very cramped conditions in the wheelhouse, caused by all of the six man (5 blokes, one girl) crew deeming it neccessary to be there all at once!
After some hours of this nonsense, I decided to put into Woolongong Hbr to effect repairs on the auto-pilot and rest the night as the forcast for the next few days was perfect. A loose wire was found in the auto-pilot system and was easily repaired. We stayed the night in a Hotel and departed Woolongong Hbr at 0600 Hrs, Mon 02 June 08.
From here on the journey to Melborne was nothing less than sensational! We had light to moderate tailwinds all the way South to Bass Strait. There the winds turned gently onto our tail again, all the way to Wilsons Prom, where, once again, the breeze shifted directly onto our stern for the run up to Port Phillip Heads. On arrival at the Heads, the tide was flooding in so the run through them gave the Joe a top speed of 13.9 Knots!
The transit up the bay was eerie, as a fog had set in with no breeze at all. (Gotta love radar and GPS chartplotters!)
The Joe Mann arrived at Anne St Pier, Williamstown at 1645Hrs 04 Jun 08. Sailing time from Port Botany (not including the Woolongong stopover) to Williamstown was 63.5 Hrs over a distance of 550 Nm. The engines revs were maintained at 1500 rpm which produced an average speed of 9 knots.
Fuel consumption averaged at 40Lt per hour. The boat didn’t miss a beat the entire voyage. the 2 inline 671 GM engines used no oil or water. These are the same rebuilt engines fitted to the boat in 1992.
The Joe Mann will be given a new life in the Port of Melbourne.
She will immediately be survey inspected by Marine Safety Victoria before undrgoing a major refit which could include a new propulsion system i.e 600Hp Caterpillar engines!
Very shortly you could see her working in the Port assisting with the dredging project in ner new, BLUE, livery!