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HMAS SHOALWATER
HMAS SHOALWATER

HMAS SHOALWATER

Model Maker
Date1988
Object number00018332
NameModel
MediumFibreglass, wood
DimensionsOverall: 490 x 740 x 250 mm, 3.5 kg
ClassificationsModels
Credit LineANMM Collection Gift from the Department of Defence
DescriptionA 1:40 scale cutaway model of HMAS SHOALWATER a Royal Australian Navy Bay class MHI (minehunter inshore) catamaran.HistoryHMAS SHOALWATER (M81) was named for Shoalwater Bay in Queensland; and was a Bay class minehunter (MHI) of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) built by Carrington Slipways at Newcastle, New South Wales, launched on 20 June 1987 and commissioned on 10 October 1987. SHOALWATER was decommissioned on 14 August 2001. The decommissioning of SHOALWATER and her sister ship HMAS RUSHCUTTER, marked the end of an Australian designed class of vessel; as catamarans they were unique in hull form, construction materials and operational characteristics. RUSHCUTTER, the first MHI in the RAN, was also built at the Carrington Slipways in Newcastle and commissioned on November 1, 1986. While designed for mine hunting operations in sheltered (inshore) waters the vessels also fulfilled a vital training role, maintaining a level of practical mine warfare skills in the RAN. This allowed the Navy to support the introduction of new minehunter ships, the Huons. The ships usually carried a crew of 13. They were fitted with Atlas hull mounted sonar as well as two remote control mine disposal vehicles. SignificanceThis model represents a class of minehunters used by the Royal Australian Navy.