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HISTORY

The Rottnest Barge

The Rottnest Barge Service began shortly after World War I when the lighthouse keepers’ son, John Prince, returned from the war. The Prince family had an early association with Rottnest Island through being involved with the original signalling and pilot service. The barge service remained with the Prince family until 1986 when it became Stirling Marine. Subsequently, Stirling Marine was acquired by Adsteam, who then became part of Svitzer.

It returned to local ownership in 2009.

At 27 metres, the Spinifex is the largest landing barge to have serviced Rottnest Island and has been operating on the run since 1987.

Prior to 1987, a smaller 24 metre landing barge, the Cooma was used to build the last significant accomodation at Rottnest – the Rottnest Island Authority units at Geordie Bay / Longreach.

The Spinifex has transported the wind turbine, re-surfaced the airport and everything that has been built since 1987.