Henderson will be home to the Indian Ocean’s new Submarine Rescue Facility – with Western Australian company Civmec beginning construction of the multimillion dollar Australian Defence Force project.
The $12.5 million Submarine Rescue Facility will replace Australia’s ageing submarine rescue capability.
When it begins operations in 2022 it will provide the base for all Australian and international submarine rescue missions in our region.
It will be constructed at the Australian Marine Complex (AMC), with the key project to create at least 40 jobs during construction and 55 ongoing roles during operations.
The one-hectare site will be located on Stuart Drive and will house a rapid launch and recovery system, hyperbaric treatment unit, and maintenance training and testing infrastructure with a seven-metre deep pool.
While the primary mission is to deliver a rescue capability for Australia’s submarine fleet, the new rescue program is capable of supporting other nations’ submarines operating in the region.
The new facility will be located close to the AMC’s Common User Facility and will allow rapid mobilisation in the event of a disabled submarine in the region and around the world.
The facility is part of the Australian Defence Force’s broader $255 million submarine rescue services program for Australia’s submarine fleet, led by marine services contractor Phoenix International.
Vision of practice submarine rescue missions and artists’ impressions of the facility are available at:
As stated by Defence Issues Minister Paul Papalia:
“This new facility will be built locally by WA company Civmec in Henderson, creating up to 40 jobs during construction and 55 ongoing roles during operations.
“It will ensure WA remains the home base for Australian and international submarine rescues in the region, boosting our reputation as a defence industry, manufacturing and maintenance hub.
“The McGowan Government has advocated strongly to demonstrate WA is best placed to support defence operations in the Indian Ocean and Asian regions, and basing the new submarine rescue capability here confirms that status.”
