HMAS PARA Part 1: A WWII Veteran Still Afloat

Boats come and go, but every now and then, one turns up that makes you stop, take a breath, and realise you're standing in the engine bay of living history. HMAS Para is one of those boats.

Para June 2025, Goolwa

Recently I had the opportunity to work on her, and this blog will be where I document her story — not just from a technical stand

point, but as a way to share a slice of Australia’s maritime past. This is Part 1 of her story, with Part 2 to follow after I return to continue the work and gather more photos and firsthand details from her current custodian.

Wartime Origins

HMAS Para was launched in 1942, built for the Royal Australian Navy's Naval Auxiliary Patrol during WWII. These boats weren’t navy destroyers — they were often timber motor launches like Para, pressed into service, crewed by volunteers, and armed with light weapons and depth charges to protect Australia’s coastline.

Para April 1944, Port Adelaide

She was fitted with a .303 Vickers machine gun and two Mk VII depth charges, and commissioned into service on 14 October 1942. She operated primarily around Port Adelaide, patrolling ports, estuaries, and shipping lanes, watching for enemy submarines and defending against sabotage.

She remained in service until May 1946, then was held in reserve and eventually returned to civilian ownership in July 1948.

Post-War Journey

After the war, Para took on a new life. At some point — and the exact years are still a bit of a mystery — she ended up in Port Broughton, on the Yorke Peninsula, where she was used for cruising and possibly light commercial use. From there, she made her way across Spencer Gulf multiple times, eventually heading inland into the Murray River system.

Today, she lives a quieter life in Goolwa, fitted with a Yanmar 4JH4-TE turbo diesel, and serves as a gentleman’s cruiser. She’s a regular at the Goolwa Wooden Boat Festival, where she draws attention not just for her varnish and lines, but for the story behind her hull.

My Involvement So Far

The owner contacted me to begin mechanical work on Para — part preservation, part ongoing maintenance. My recent visit involved inspecting the engine, systems, and planning future work including potentially removing the prop shaft and continuing care of her drivetrain. It’s the kind of job that you don’t rush — both out of respect and because when a boat has been through 80+ years, you take your time and do it right.

There’s more to uncover — and more work to be done — I’ll be heading back to Para to perform routine maintenance. When I do, I’ll be documenting more of her history, taking photos, and speaking with the owner to piece together the missing chapters.

Coming Soon in Part 2:

Detailed engine and drivetrain work

This one’s worth following — not just for the technical side, but because boats like HMAS Para remind us that history doesn’t always sit in a museum. Sometimes it floats beside a wooden jetty, quietly waiting to be remembered.