Guest Speaker Rohan Warr introduced by Grant Woodhams
Rohan Warr is Managing Director and part owner of Dongara Marine, and a fully qualified shipwright. A ‘hands on’ Director, Rohan typically works directly with our clients as well as being personally involved in managing daily boatbuilding and maintenance activities.
In addition to the qualifications, skills and experience Rohan has gained through his involvement in boatbuilding since 1995, he brings to our projects commercial vessel operational experience from work in the fishing industry. This includes obtaining his Master V skippers ticket and Marine Engine Driver grade 2 qualifications. This brings significant benefits to vessel construction process, including enabling a better understanding of client’s operational needs.
Rohan’s career as a shipwright began in 1995 through an apprenticeship with Vikal International, a world-renowned builder in the superyacht industry, in Perth. After completing his apprenticeship he went on to work as a shipwright primarily in commercial vessel construction. Initially working at Northern Star Boat Builders in Perth, he returned to the Mid West in 2001 to work for Geraldton-based companies Batavia Boat Builders and then Western Boatbuilders.
Working at these companies in both shipwright and supervisory roles, Rohan gained significant experience in building aluminium monohulls and multihulls for a wide range of commercial and government applications.
In addition to many cray boats, this included charter and live aboard dive /cruise catamarans; a series of tri-hull Commando Operational Watercraft; and long range patrol boats for various government agencies. This demonstrates his ability to successfully manage construction of vessels of differing sizes, applications, and hull forms for different types of customers under varying contract types.
Rohan moved from Western Boatbuilders to Dongara Marine in 2010 to assist John Fitzhardinge with the conversion of the composite lobster fishing boat Hero to a pleasure craft. He was subsequently appointed General Manager of Dongara Marine and, in July 2016, he and his wife became partners in Dongara Marine with the Fitzhardinges. Rohan took on the role of Managing Director.
Dongara Marine received a substantial boost when local rock lobster fisherman Bruce Cockman ordered a boat from Dongara Marine. It was a $4m deal done on a handshake. The ambition was to keep the money in town. Shortly after another Dongara fisherman placed a similar order. The company now had two years of work guaranteed. They then tendered to build a Perth Transport Authority Ferry and were eventually successful. They also worked with Dept Fire & Emergency Services and WA Police on their boats.
Subsequently they have built two new Pilot boats in Fremantle. They realised that working in Dongara was fraught with significant practical challenges. The decision was made to bring the business to Geraldton and in early 2022 construction started on buildings at the Port of Geraldton for them. There are now fourteen boats under construction which equals around $20m worth of work. Dongara Marine now employ sixty five people.
Questions from Ian Taylor re govt contracts; Laurie Dines re the combination of aluminium and fibreglass; Russell McKinnon on obtaining a workforce.
Guest Speaker thanks by Phil Martin