Patterson Lakes: pioneering Australian automated technology

The largest marina in the Australian state of Victoria, Patterson Lakes Marina in Melbourne has taken receipt of the country’s first automated stacker crane – a five tonne JDN Monocrane with 3m (10ft) reach and 12m (39ft) lift height. Charlotte Niemiec reports

Patterson Lakes Marina is no stranger to new initiatives. The marina’s history dates back to 1913, when Alfred Turner Priestley brought his family to Carrum for a holiday. Five years later, he purchased 170 acres (69ha) of pastoral land north and west of the Patterson River, operating a dairy farm from its northern side. In 1966, the Priestley family established a dry dock marina – the southern hemisphere’s first man-made marina – which they called Whaler’s Cove Marina. In 1988, the farm and marina were sold to make way for the new suburb of Patterson Lakes. The marina was later renamed Patterson Lakes Marina and it remains the largest in Victoria.
Today, it is a full service facility offering both wet berths and drystack storage options. Drystack boat storage is becoming a popular and efficient method for storing boats in Australia, says marina managing director Sam Zuchowski.
“Given the premium on waterfront space in many parts of Australia, drystack storage is an attractive option because it maximises storage capacity within a limited footprint, whilst offering numerous benefits in terms of protection, security and convenience,” Zuchowski adds and, as the boating community continues to grow, demand for efficient and space-saving storage solutions like drystack is expected to rise.?
The marina has 250 drystack slots that cater for boats up to 9.2m (30ft), offering all-year-round protection from Melbourne’s temperate oceanic climate renowned for its changeable weather conditions. “Drystack storage is valued for its protection and security as boats are stored out of the water in a covered facility, which can help reduce maintenance costs and protect the vessels from the elements. Our dry dock is an excellent option for boat owners who prioritise these benefits,” Zuchowski says.
Automating the drystack offering
To help improve efficiency at the marina, management chose the automated JDN Monocrane for its reliability, precision and advanced automation features, Zuchowski explains, which make it ideal for efficiently managing boat storage operations. JDN Monocrane is a leading crane designer and manufacturer in Australia, founded in 1979 and offering a “one stop solutions shop” for design, manufacture, installation and service of a full range of standard and specialist lifting solutions.
The automated stacker crane works in tandem with a boat lifter to handle boats being launched and stowed via the waterway in the drystack facility. As it is driverless, the system streamlines the boat launch and stowing process, making it faster and safer.
During the boat launching process, boats are automatically retrieved from their designated slot or rack via a QR code located in the Boat Cloud App and placed on the boat lifter. The boat lift then lowers the vessel into the water.
The Boat Cloud app was designed and developed by Boat Cloud LLC, a company focused on providing marina services software. The app simplifies the scheduling and management of boat launches and retrievals, reducing wait times and improving a marina’s overall efficiency.
Upon return, Patterson Lakes Marina offers a washdown service. After this, to stow a boat, each boat is equipped with a unique QR code, located on the stern. The operator scans the code with the stacker crane’s scanner after it has been placed on the boat lift. This triggers the automatic stowing sequence, where the crane moves the boat to its designated storage location.
To ensure safety and precision, cameras are mounted on the stacker crane, providing real-time images to the operator. Additionally, advanced positioning devices allow the operator to ensure precise positioning and movement of the crane millimeter by millimeter, further enhancing efficiency and safety.?????
Wet berths and other facilities
The marina offers secure all-weather wet berths on Bellingham floating docks for boats up to 29m (60ft) in length. All wet berths are fully serviced with 240-volt power pedestals supplied by M Tech Marine Technologies, water and firefighting equipment. “We are continuing to upgrade our wet berths,” Zuchowski notes. Additionally, the marina offers a limited number of jet ski docks.
The marina is securely gated with electronic card-scan access and all main walkways are protected by gate card secured entrances. Additionally, 24-hour video security is in place.
A purpose-built marine service centre offers on-site maintenance and repair services, ensuring that owners have convenient access to essential boat care. The centre offers everything from mechanical repairs through to upholstery and antifouling. Its hardstand area can accommodate boats up to 60ft (29m) in length and is serviced by a travel hoist with a lift capacity of 25 tonnes. The hardstand is situated near new, purpose-built factories that offer mechanical services and complete boat maintenance.
A 24-hour fuel dock is located in the Inner Harbour, offering unleaded and diesel fuel.
The Cove hotel offers dining and gaming for guests, and the marina offers a gym, tennis courts, bathroom and toilet facilities.
The gateway to the peninsula
Patterson Lakes Marina lies midway between St Kilda and Portsea, with direct access to the popular Port Phillip Bay, making it an ideal spot for boating enthusiasts. It is known locally as the gateway to bustling waterways and the peninsula, via its access to Patterson River. Its proximity to the city of Melbourne – around a 35 minute drive – also makes it a convenient escape for city dwellers looking for recreational boat opportunities, or for incoming yacht owners to visit the city.
“Several charter companies operate from Patterson Lakes Marina,” Zuchowski says, making it an ideal destination for those looking to experience the water without the commitment of boat ownership.
Patterson Lakes Marina itself is set in a picturesque location with beautiful surroundings, providing a pleasant and relaxing atmosphere for boat owners and visitors. The marina’s well-maintained grounds and waterfront views add to its charm and appeal.
The area abounds with native Australian flora and fauna, including skinks, tree dragons, snakes and the shy duck-billed platypus, and is particularly prized for its birds and fish.