Description

Affectionately nicknamed ‘Orange Roughy’ after the similarly-coloured deep sea perch, the icebreaker AURORA AUSTRALIS was officially retired in 2020, after 31 years, and 150 expeditions, as part of the Australian Antarctic Program.

Built in 1988 by Carrington Slipways (later Forgacs Shipyard), at Tomago, New South Wales, AURORA AUSTRALIS was launched in September, 1989. She is owned by P&O Maritime Services.

Named for the Southern Lights (Aurora Australis), which can be seen in Tasmania, her successor, RSV NUYINA means ‘southern lights’ in the Tasmanian Aboriginal language of palawa kani.

Sources:

‘RSV Aurora Australis, 1989-2020’, Australian Antarctic Program

‘Aurora Australis (icebreaker)’, Wikipedia

‘Orange Roughy’, Wikipedia

‘Forgacs Shipyard’, Wikipedia

‘RSV NUYINA – Australia’s new icebreaker’, Australian Antarctic Program