Wallaby-class water and fuel lighter

A Wallaby-class lighter in 2008
Class overview
Name:	Wallaby-class water and fuel lighter
Builders:	Williamstown Naval Dockyard
Operators:	Royal Australian Navy DMS Maritime
Cost:	$7,000,000
Built:	1978-1984
In service:	1981–current
Completed:	4
Active:	4
General characteristics
Displacement:	210 tons, 1100 tons (loaded)
Length:	38 metres (125 ft)
Beam:	9.8 metres (32 ft)
Draft:	3.8 metres (12 ft)
Propulsion:	2 x G.E.C Harbourmaster Units
Armament:	None

The Wallaby-class water and fuel lighter is class of four Australian-built lighters which have supported the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) since 1981.^[1] The vessels were originally operated by the RAN, but were transferred to DMS Maritime after 1997.

Their main role is to transport diesel fuel and desalinated water and remove sulage and ballast waters for the RAN, though they can also be used to control oil spills.^[2]

The Wallaby-class craft are scheduled to be disposed of other the next few years, with replacement water fuel lighters proposed by DMS Maritime.

Ships

Name	Builder	Laid Down	Launched	Notes
Wallaby (8002)	Williamstown Dockyard	1978	1983	Based at Sydney
Wombat (8003)	Williamstown Dockyard	1978	1983	Based at Sydney
Wyulda (8004)	Williamstown Dockyard	1982	1984	Based at HMAS Stirling
Warrigal (8001)	Williamstown Dockyard	1982	1984	Based at Jervis Bay

Citations

1. Wilson (1994), pp. 67-68.
2. Wertheim (2007), pp.31-32.

References

• Wertheim, Eric (2007). The Naval Institute Guide to Combat Fleets of the World. Naval Institute Press. ISBN 1-59114-955-X.
• Wilson, Michael (1994). Profile No. 4, Royal Australian Navy 21st century warships. Marrickville, New South Wales: Topmill. ISBN 0-646-22841-2.