28 January 2003

 Setting off for her maiden voyage this month is Greg Norman’s “Aussie    Rules” one of the world’s largest private aluminium luxury motor yachts,    and TUCF was there to help make it happen!

At 69.5m/228 ft in length, “Aussie Rules” will combine the ultimate in luxury with unlimited exploration capabilities appropriate to one of the world’s greatest sporting heroes.

Manufactured at Henderson, south of Fremantle in Western Australia, by Oceanfast, the “Norman Expedition Yacht” is predicted to become a benchmark for the worldwide luxury motor yacht market.

“Aussie Rules” has been designed for long-range ocean cruising and expedition voyages and is capable of exploring any navigable waters. The yacht offers the opportunity for entertainment and adventure activities such as watching killer whales in Alaska, to scuba diving in the Red Sea and game fishing in the Bahamas or Australia.

Mr Norman’s vast sporting and yachting experience has greatly influenced the design and concept of this most unique motor yacht. Extensive fishing and diving equipment enables guests to optimise the surrounding aquatic playgrounds, while allowing Mr Norman to indulge in two of his favourite hobbies.

The largest tender, a 12.8 metre/42ft Sportsfisherman (custom made by Gamefisherman Inc. in Florida, USA) can be launched from the main deck by double slings when the yacht is in port. Comfortable for overnight outings, the Sportsfisherman includes a fishing tower, four berths and a galley to cook the catch of the day.

Onboard “Aussie Rules” the dive equipment will cater for up to 30 people and includes a decompression chamber and two dive compressors. Dives of all types can be accomplished by operating the Nitrox Mixing Panel onboard, enabling each guest’s air tank to be customised with a mixture of gases.

The Underwater Centre Fremantle played a key role in the commissioning of the diving systems and decompression chambers. TUCF also conducted two intensive, ADAS approved, Chamber Operator courses for the crew. The commissioning process included function testing, identifying and reporting defects and confirming the operational status of all diving plant and equipment including. TUCF staff led by Simon Jones also assisted with the difficult and technical, installation of the dive systems.