Innovative Reef Ranger Refit Strengthens Protection of the Great Barrier Reef

An innovative refit of Queensland’s flagship marine patrol vessel, Reef Ranger, is set to strengthen the protection of the Great Barrier Reef while supporting local jobs and advancing sustainable marine operations across the state.

Operated by the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) in partnership with the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, Reef Ranger has worked across the Reef for more than a decade, acting as a floating ranger base for multi-day field operations, scientific research, compliance patrols and Traditional Owner partnerships.

For Whitsundays residents, the Reef is not a distant icon but a living part of the region. The Whitsunday Islands sit within the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, with coral reefs beginning as little as 20 kilometres offshore and extending throughout the island group. These reefs underpin the region’s tourism industry, marine biodiversity and coastal lifestyle, making their protection critical to the local economy and environment.

Completed in 2025, the Reef Ranger refit introduces state-of-the-art technology designed to improve efficiency while reducing environmental impact. The upgrades were carried out by specialist Queensland contractors, including Rivergate Marina and Shipyard, supporting skilled jobs and local industry.

Key improvements include new Euro V-compliant propulsion engines, significantly reducing carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxide emissions and eliminating black smoke. The vessel can now operate on hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) diesel; a lower-emissions renewable fuel made from waste oils and sustainable feedstocks, subject to availability.
A new hybrid power system has also been installed, combining solar panels, lithium-ion batteries, engine-driven alternators, traditional generators and shore power while in port. This system reduces reliance on diesel generators and lowers overall fuel consumption and emissions.

The final stage of the refit will see the installation of an innovative hull vane foil system, one of the first operational uses of this technology on a government vessel in Australia. The system reduces drag and improves fuel efficiency, with estimated savings of around 50 tonnes of fuel per year — equivalent to the annual energy use of seven to ten average households. A silicone-based antifouling coating has already been applied to the hull, improving performance and making cleaning easier.

The 23.9-metre aluminium catamaran operates for approximately 240 days each year, travelling more than 12,000 nautical miles annually, a distance equivalent to more than six full circumnavigations of Australia since its launch in 2014. With accommodation for 16 crew and support for multiple smaller vessels, Reef Ranger plays a vital role in maintaining reef health across vast and often remote areas.

Among its most significant contributions is its support of major conservation initiatives such as crown-of-thorns starfish monitoring and control, and the Raine Island Recovery Project, delivered in partnership with Traditional Owners. These programs combine Traditional ecological knowledge with modern science to protect culturally and environmentally significant reef systems.

The Great Barrier Reef contributes an estimated $9 billion each year to Australia’s economy and supports around 77,000 full-time jobs, making it one of the nation’s most important natural assets. Tourism alone accounts for nearly 90 per cent of this economic value, a reality strongly felt in regions like the Whitsundays.

Queensland and Australian Government investment in vessels like Reef Ranger reflects a long-term commitment to reef protection, innovation and sustainability. For coastal communities, including those in the Whitsundays, the refit represents not only environmental stewardship but also reassurance that the Reef, central to local livelihoods and identity, is being actively safeguarded for future generations.

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The Reef Ranger after its 2025 refit, featuring low-emissions andhybrid technology to boost protection of the Great Barrier Reef.

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