MV Banks finally towed to Townsville to be broken down for scrap FEATURED Medowie & Tilligerry News Of The Area Tilligerry Peninsular by News Of The Area - Modern Media - January 16, 2019 MV Banks moored at Lemon Tree passage. MV Banks was moored across the outer berths of Albatross Marina at Lemon Tree Passage for well over a year. The ship was available for inspection and charter. Modern Media: Advertise with News Of The Area and you get your ad in 1) in Print, 2) on the News Website (like this ad), and 3) on our Social Media news site. A much more efficient way to advertise. Reach a HUGE audience for a LOW price TODAY! Call us on 02 4983 2134. Or media@newsofthearea.com.au Or CLICK FOR ADVERT QUOTE It became headline news in Queensland last year when its maritime service came to an abrupt end. HMAS Banks entered service with the Royal Australian Navy in 1960 as a general purpose vessel. She did survey, supply and training work for the navy for over twenty years. Built in Queensland along with her sister ship HMAS Bass, this ‘Explorer’ class steel ship displaced 260 tons (loaded), was 101 feet in length and drew 8 feet (2.4 metres). Banks had a top speed of 9 knots and carried an armament of .50 calibre machine guns. Her crew complement consisted of 14 officers and men. After decommissioning, HMAS Banks was sold off and operated out of Ulladulla NSW as MV Banks for fishing charters. In recent times the ship could be found plying the waters of the Great Barrier Reef in the Whitsunday Passage. Sadly, cyclone Debbie arrived last year and Banks found itself high and dry on the rocks in Cid Harbour. Refloated at a cost of $365,000, the former naval workhorse was finally towed to Townsville to be broken down for scrap. By Geoff WALKER HMAS Banks in its heyday. High and dry on the rocks in the Whitsundays.
