Provision of Commercial Vessels to the RAN

The Defence Marine Support Services (DMSS) Group is established in the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) as an end-to-end capability enabler for marine support services across Defence and potentially, for use by other Commonwealth agencies.

These support services cover both In-Port (INPT) and Out of Port (OOP) capabilities based on the following:

(a) INPT considers vessels and assets that provide in-harbour and near coastal services consist of a broad range of vessels, including; harbour towing, general auxiliary, passenger and stores transfer, fuel and water replenishment, dive support, lightering and cranage, training etc.

(b) OOP capabilities are delivered through a number of civilian, commercially crewed, operated and regulated, large-hulled , ocean going vessels, which provide operational and training support, contribute to humanitarian disaster relief, conduct search and rescue operations, support maritime border protection activities, and undertake other Commonwealth directed activities.

(c) The DMSS Maritime Assurance Program (DMAP) supports the ongoing delivery of DMSS capability through the replacement and/or addition of INPT and OOP vessels and assets to manage obsolescence or to overcome capability gaps while ensuring both Defence and civilian regulatory requirements are met.