Motor Yacht GIRRALONG looking rather unkempt in the Tamar River silt, Launceston, Tasmania, Australia. 1/10/2022

GIRRALONG was one of three identical pilot boats known as the “G” Class built in 1958 at the Maritime Services Board shipyard on Goat Island, NSW.

As a pilot boat, GIRRALONG operated in the Port of Newcastle up until 1988. After 30 years of service, GIRRALONG was donated to the Port Stephens Division of the Royal Volunteer Coastal Patrol (RVCP) and operated as a rescue boat frequently engaged along the Central Coast.

In 1999, GIRRALONG was sold to the Royal Volunteer Coastal Patrol in Ulverstone, Tasmania. This turned out to be an unfortunate undertaking for GIRRALONG, as its owners were too ill equipped to maintain it sufficiently, and on two occasions, the vessel became badly vandalised.

GIRRALONG was sold to owners in Launceston in 2004 and converted into a motor yacht. GIRRALONG was sold again in 2021 and currently remains in Launceston.

Vessel Particulars

Type: Motor Yacht – ex Rescue Boat – ex Pilot Boat
Flag: Australian | Home Port: Launceston
Year Built: 1958 | Country of Build: Australia
Builder: Maritime Services Board of NSW | Location of Yard: Goat Island
Converted to Motor Yacht: 2004
Length: 66ft | Beam: 16.5ft | Draught: 7.6ft
Displacement: 45 tonnes
Engine: NMS6 turbocharged Diesel | Power: 350 bhp
Max Speed: 10 knots | Cruise Speed: 8 knots

Sister Vessels (“G” Class Pilot Cutter):

GOOLARA
GOONDOOLOO