See main article: Explorer class general-purpose vessel. The Explorer class was a two-ship class of general-purpose vessels built for the RAN.[2] The ships had a displacement of 207 tons at standard load and 260 tons at full load.[2] Bass was in length overall, had a beam of, and a draught of .[2] Propulsion machinery consisted of GM diesels, which supplied to the two propeller screws, and allowed the vessel to reach .[2] The ship's company consisted of 14 personnel.[2] The ship's armament of light weapons (two .303 Bren guns) were only fitted as needed.[2]
Bass was laid down by Walkers Limited of Maryborough, Queensland in May 1959.[3] She was commissioned into the RAN on 15 November 1960.[3]
From 1963, Bass operated with the coastwatchers organisation.[2]
By July 1967, the ship had been assigned to Hobart for hydrographic survey duties, and for service as a training vessel to the Royal Australian Navy Reserve Port Division based there.[2] She continued in this role until June 1982, when she was replaced by the patrol boat .[4] In July, Bass relocated to, to provide navigational training to personnel at that base.[2]
On 17 December, Bass was formally decommissioned, but remained in service as Waterhens training vessel.[2] In October 1985, Bass was reassigned to the Darwin Port Division of the Royal Australian Navy Reserve.[2]
In 1994, Bass was paid off and sold.[1] The vessel entered civilian service as MV Bass.[5]
Civilian owners have included Sydney Harbour and foreshore identities, John Giddens, Jeff Devine and Danny Black.