HMAS ''Bass'' (GPV 902) was an

Explorer class general-purpose vessel The Explorer class was a two-ship class of general purpose vessels of the Royal Australian Navy that served between 1960 and 1995.Wilson, ''Royal Australian Navy 21st Century Warships'', p. 37 Design The Explorer class was a two-ship class of gen ...

of the

Royal Australian Navy The Royal Australian Navy (RAN) is the principal naval force of the Australian Defence Force (ADF). The professional head of the RAN is Chief of Navy (CN) Vice Admiral Mark Hammond AM, RAN. CN is also jointly responsible to the Minister of ...

(RAN), serving in a range of capacities from 1960 until 1994.Wilson, ''Royal Australian Navy 21st Century Warships'', p. 37

Design and construction

The Explorer class was a two-ship class of general-purpose vessels built for the RAN.Gillett, ''Australian and New Zealand Warships since 1946'', p. 46 The ships had a

displacement Displacement may refer to: Physical sciences Mathematics and Physics * Displacement (geometry), is the difference between the final and initial position of a point trajectory (for instance, the center of mass of a moving object). The actual path ...

of 207 tons at standard load and 260 tons at full load. ''Bass'' was in length overall, had a beam of , and a draught of . Propulsion machinery consisted of GM diesels, which supplied to the two propeller screws, and allowed the vessel to reach . The ship's company consisted of 14 personnel. The ship's armament of light weapons (two .303 Bren guns) were only fitted as needed. ''Bass'' was laid down by

Walkers Limited Walkers Limited was an Australian engineering company, based in Maryborough, Queensland. It built ships and railway locomotives. The Walkers factory still produces railway locomotives and rolling stock as part of Downer Rail. History In ...

of Maryborough, Queensland in May 1959.Gillett, ''Australian and New Zealand Warships since 1946'', p. 47 She was commissioned into the RAN on 15 November 1960.

Operational history

From 1963, ''Bass'' operated with the coastwatchers organisation. By July 1967, the ship had been assigned to Hobart for

hydrographic survey Hydrographic survey is the science of measurement and description of features which affect maritime navigation, marine construction, dredging, offshore oil exploration/ offshore oil drilling and related activities. Strong emphasis is placed ...

duties, and for service as a training vessel to the

Royal Australian Navy Reserve The Royal Australian Naval Reserve (RANR) is the volunteer reserve force of the Royal Australian Navy in Australia. The current Royal Australian Naval Reserve was formed in June 1973 by merging the former RANR (Seagoing) and the Royal Australian ...

Port Division based there. She continued in this role until June 1982, when she was replaced by the patrol boat . In July, ''Bass'' relocated to , to provide navigational training to personnel at that base. On 17 December, ''Bass'' was formally decommissioned, but remained in service as ''Waterhen''s training vessel. In October 1985, ''Bass'' was reassigned to the Darwin Port Division of the Royal Australian Navy Reserve. In 1994, ''Bass'' was paid off and sold. The vessel entered civilian service as MV ''Bass''. Civilian owners have included Sydney Harbour and foreshore identities, John Giddens, Jeff Devine and Danny Black.

References

;Citations ;Bibliography * *

External links

MV Bass
- Website following the restoration of the vessel {{DEFAULTSORT:Bass, HMAS 1960 ships Explorer-class general-purpose vessels Ships built in Queensland