Program Overview
Birdon was engaged to undertake the complex salvage, relocation and environmentally responsible disposal of the Ex-HMAS Otama, a 1,600-tonne Oberon-class submarine with a distinguished history in intelligence-gathering operations for the Royal Australian Navy.
Originally decommissioned in 2000, the vessel had been subject to multiple failed preservation attempts before Birdon was contracted in June 2022. The project involved salvaging the listing submarine at Crib Point, Victoria (a RAMSAR Wetlands location), transporting it via a semi-submersible heavy lift ship to the Australian Marine Complex (AMC) in Henderson, Western Australia, and executing a meticulous deconstruction and recycling program.
The project was completed in September 2023, achieving a 98% material recycling rate and zero lost time injuries throughout the program.
Quick Facts
- Client
Australian Department of Defence
- Location
Crib Point (VIC) to AMC Henderson (WA)
- Lifecycle Stage
Salvage, Deconstruction & Recycling
- Asset
Ex-HMAS Otama – 1,600-tonne Oberon-class submarine
- Timeline
June 2022 – September 2023
Objectives
- To safely salvage and remove the strickened Submarine from Crib Point where it was located in a Ramsar Wetlands area.
- Safely deconstruct and recycle the Ex-HMAS Otama
- Minimise environmental and safety risks during salvage, transport and disposal
- Preserve key heritage items for public display and museum placement
- Comply with all Defence, environmental and maritime regulations
Challenges
- Stabilising a deteriorating, listing submarine with 250 tonnes of lead-acid batteries onboard
- Managing hazardous materials including asbestos, lead-based paints and tributyltin antifoul
- Coordinating with a Heavy Lift Ship operator to load, secure and transport the submarine from Crib Point VIC to Henderson, WA
- Working with our insurance company to ensure coverage throughout the salvage and relocation operations.
- Navigating complex stakeholder engagement across multiple jurisdictions, agencies and regulatory frameworks
Birdon’s Approach
Birdon delivered a structured, engineering-led program combining maritime salvage, heavy transport logistics and controlled land-based deconstruction, underpinned by its certified Integrated Management System (IMS).
The salvage and relocation phase was executed in partnership with Roll Group, utilising a Rolldock semi-submersible heavy lift ship to safely transport the 90-metre vessel from Crib Point, Victoria, to the Australian Marine Complex in Henderson, Western Australia. The vessel was stabilised and prepared for loading, with hazardous material containment protocols in place throughout transit.
Deconstruction was conducted at AMC Henderson, a DEF(AUST) 5000 compliant facility, using water-cooled diamond wire saws, plasma cutters and heavy lift cranes. Materials were systematically segregated and processed through established recycling pathways, with many materials transferred directly to end-user foundries.
A comprehensive Environmental Management Plan (EMP) and Health & Safety Management Plan (HSMP) were developed to address biofouling, hazardous waste streams and emergency response. Environmental controls were maintained throughout all phases of the project, ensuring safe and compliant operations from salvage through to final disposal.
Birdon also collaborated with Defence and heritage stakeholders to recover and preserve key artefacts, including propellor conning tower and periscope, for donation to maritime museums.
Outcomes & Impact
The project achieved a 98% material recycling rate, with materials processed and transferred directly to end-user foundries, supporting domestic recycling and supply chains.
Zero lost time injuries were recorded throughout the project, reflecting Birdon’s commitment to safety-first delivery across all phases of the program.
Successful stakeholder engagement was maintained across Defence, environmental regulators and local authorities, ensuring compliance and transparency throughout the project lifecycle. Heritage artefacts including the conning tower and periscope were recovered and preserved for museum placement.
A Certificate of Destruction was issued upon project completion, confirming full compliance with Defence disposal requirements.
Capabilities in Action
- Maritime salvage, stabilisation and heavy transport logistics for large vessels
- Large-scale vessel deconstruction and land-based dismantling
- Hazardous material identification, handling and disposal including asbestos, lead and tributyltin
- Material recovery, segregation and recycling at scale
- Heritage preservation and artefact recovery in partnership with Defence stakeholders
- Environmental and safety management planning including EMP and HSMP development
- Delivery under ISO-certified HSEQ Management Systems (ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001)
