CHANGES were made to the dud police vessel Fortescue so it “looked better sitting in the wharf” rather than improved performance, a parliamentary inquiry has heard.
Marine architect Michael Hunn, who was employed by Tasmania Police to design the new vessel and oversee its construction, yesterday slammed the department’s handling of the project.
PV Fortescue has been in and out of dry dock since it was launched in October 2008 and the state government has declared it won’t spend any more than the $1.8 million already sunk into the “failed project”.
Mr Hunn told the Legislative Council committee investigating the saga that police had ordered the boat’s engines without consulting him.
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He blamed that decision for a lot of the problems later identified, such as vibration issues and less-than-expected speed and range capabilities.
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Mr Hunn stopped working for the department at the end of May 2008 and questioned some of the modifications made to the boat under advice from another marine architect.
He said the boat’s centre of gravity had deliberately been set towards the front of the boat to ease the transition from different speeds, but police wanted it moved “so it looked better sitting in the wharf”.
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Mr Hunn said his reputation had been damaged by the affair.
