The PS Decoy, also known as "The Decoy," is a privately owned paddle steamer operating on the Swan River in Perth, Western Australia. Built in 1986 by Australian Ship Building Industries in Fremantle, it is a replica of an original paddle steamer that served on the Swan River in the 1870s. The vessel's design faithfully echoes the classic paddle steamers of the era, and it is registered in Fremantle, with its home port at Mends Street Jetty in South Perth. Constructed with an emphasis on historical accuracy, Decoy features a twin-cylinder steam engine originally manufactured in 1905 by Ransome Sims and Jefferies. This engine, salvaged from Bunnings engineering workshops in Manjimup, was fully restored and rebuilt in 1986, incorporating a new oil-fired burner and a Maxitherm boiler, ensuring its operational capability for river cruises and events. The vessel's specifications highlight its role as both a functional and historical replica, emphasizing traditional steam propulsion. Decoy’s service history includes its use in the filming of the television mini-series "Cloudstreet," based on Tim Winton’s novel, underscoring its cultural significance. The vessel is primarily used for private and corporate river cruises, offering a variety of functions such as weddings, private parties, Christmas and staff celebrations, memorial services, and publicly ticketed events. Its operational model relies solely on revenue generated from private hires, as it operates without public funding or charitable support. Significantly, the Decoy underwent a major refurbishment in 2024 under the stewardship of a Western Australian family, enhancing its condition and operational longevity. Its role in providing a nostalgic and authentic paddle steamer experience on the Swan River makes it a noteworthy vessel in Western Australia’s maritime and cultural landscape, blending historical reconstruction with contemporary use for entertainment and special events.

This description has been generated using GPT-4.1-NANO based on the Vessel's wikidata information and then modified by ShipIndex.org staff.