Built as a ro-ro cargo vessel under yard No 169 by Ube Dock, Ube for Portsmith Stevedoring Co. Pty. Ltd. (Mason Shipping & Stevedoring Co. Pty. Ltd.) New Farm, Queensland, Australia.
19 November 1981 launched as the LEICHHARDT.
Tonnage 1,155 grt, 323 nrt, 1,267 dwt., dim. 64 x 14.5 x 3.71m.(draught).
Powered by two Daihatsu 6DSM-22 diesel engines, total output 1,800 hp, twin controllable pitch propellers, speed 11 knots.
She was completed under yard No 325 by Kasado Dock, Kudamatsu.
December 1981 delivered to owners, homeport Cairns, Australia.
After arrival in Australia was she used between Cairns and the islands and ports of the Torres Strait and Gulf of Carpentaria.
She has the capability to carry containers on deck.
03 December 1987 on a voyage from Horn Island in the Torres Strait to Weipa on the west coast of the Cape York Peninsula she grounded in position 10 46.3S and 142 14.3E, after grounding she was refloated immediately without assistance.
On arrival at the dockyard she had sustained extensive damage to her bottom plating and bilge keels, while No 2 starboard fuel tank was holed, at the time of grounding this tank was empty.
1990 Sold to Sea Swift Pty. Ltd, Portsmith, Australia and renamed TRINITY BAY.
1998 Sold to Highland Carrier Shipping, Bahamas and renamed HIGHLAND CARRIER.
2004 Sold to Française Maritime de Tahiti, Papeete, Tahiti and renamed TAPORO VIII.
Tonnage now given as 1,832 grt, 549 nrt, 1,266 dwt.
2011 In service, same name and owners, IMO No 8115100.
Source: Marine News. Compendium of Australasian Merchant Ships 1831-2008 by Tompkins. Bureau Veritas.