Dongara Marine has been a cornerstone of the West Australian maritime sector since 1975. Established in its eponymous town by boat designer John Fitzhardinge, the company relocated to a newly built waterfront shipyard in Geraldton's harbour in 2022. Dongara Marine has been sourcing Capral Aluminium for its project since 2012 and has enjoyed a fruitful collaboration recognising its capacity, product quality, and reasonable pricing.
"We use a lot of aluminium – an average boat would use about 15 tonnes of plate; a pilot boat would use 30 or more. Capral aluminium not only meets our demand but enhances our work process, effectively providing us with a 'big Meccano set' that makes assembly easier," said managing director and part-owner Rohan Warr.
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Capral offers precision-routed plate goods with precise pen marks to help Dongara's manufacturing process run more smoothly. It has shown outstanding skill in boat construction, repair, and marine services, developing as a leader in the Australian maritime industry. These pre-cut and labelled components are given to Dongara when required, guaranteeing that the "kit" is ready for assembly, saving waste and manufacturing delays, and lowering the chance of mistakes for the Dongara team.
"Dongara Marine's success lies in our broad skillset, diverse workforce, and in-house capabilities. We're continually developing our workforce and refining our trade skills, providing us greater control over scheduling, costs, performance, and quality," added Warr.
Dongara Marine has the in-house capabilities to undertake highly sophisticated vessel construction, repair/modification, and vessel support for commercial, government, and recreational clients, thanks to highly experienced management, more extensive facilities, and an expanded, expert workforce. Due to workload and predicted demand, the company is also working from another existing aluminium shipbuilding plant. Two pilot boats for the Port of Fremantle were recently awarded contracts for delivery next year.
"All our hulls are aluminium. A lot of our work now pairs aluminium hulls with composite wheelhouses. Aluminium allows you to customise every boat. It's lightweight and easy to repair. It provides far better corrosion resistance than steel. If you maintain an aluminium boat well, it can last for 35 years plus. We are yet to discover the true lifespan of aluminium – if you maintain it properly, it will just about last forever," added Warr.
The new shipyard at Geraldton is a significant improvement. The shipyard is built on an estimated 9900m2 locations inside the Fishing Boat Harbour area, allowing the company to execute numerous vessel building and extensive repairs simultaneously. Dongara's capacity has doubled due to this expansion, allowing the crew to work on 14 boats simultaneously.
Dongara Marine has come a long way from its early days of producing boats for Western Australia's cray fishing business. The firm is not simply making boats—it is developing a lasting history in the maritime sector, thanks to a devoted team that thrives on challenges, a rising capacity to provide excellent work, and a dedication to client satisfaction. Its collaboration with Capral Aluminium only adds to its ability to provide outstanding, tailored vessels that will endure the test of time.
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