Australian Navy Surveys Antarctica
The Royal Australian Navy’s Deployable Geospatial Survey Team returned from a six-week Antarctic expedition to collect essential data for navigational charts and scientific research. The team sailed from Hobart in RSV Aurora Australis on December 11, 2013 to conduct a hydrographic survey in the vicinity of Casey Station, a permanent base in Antarctica managed by the Australian Antarctic Division (AAD). “We sailed the Wyatt Earp from Aurora Australis seven times in conditions of extreme cold to collect high quality data…
Spanish Warship Completes 'Down Under' Fleet Attachment
After 9 months operating as part of the Royal Australian Navy Fleet, Spanish Armada Ship, 'ESPS Cantabria' was farewelled from her temporary homeport of Garden Island, Sydney. The ship will be visiting ports in Indonesia, India and Turkey before arriving home for Christmas. Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Ray Griggs, AO, CSC, RAN joined the Spanish Ambassador to Australia, HE Mr Enrique Viguera, Commander Australian Fleet, Rear Admiral Tim Barrett AM, CSC, RAN and Consul-General of Spain, Alvaro Iranzo Gutierrez on the wharf to acknowledge the bonds developed between the nations.
Australian Navy Recruit School Graduates First Shipp Division
For the first time in the history of the Royal Australian Navy’s Recruit School, a recruit division named after a sailor, rather than an officer, graduated today. Eighty recruits were welcomed into the Navy from Shipp Division, named after the late Leading Seaman Noel Ervin Shipp, during a Graduation Parade for General Entry class 314 that was held at HMAS Cerberus. Shipp joined the Royal Australian Navy on January 10, 1963, as an underwater control rating. He then transferred to the aircrewman category in July 1967…
Australian Warship Sails for Middle East
Family and friends joined dignitaries on the wharf at Garden Island, Sydney today to wave goodbye to 'HMAS Melbourne', as she departed for a tour of duty to the Middle East Area of Operations. Commander Australian Fleet, Rear Admiral Tim Barrett, AM, CSC RAN and Minister for Defence Science and Personnel Warren Snowdon, bid the Royal Australian Navy Frigate a safe passage as she began a six-month deployment focussed on maritime security and interception operations as part of Operation Slipper…
Saluting Guns Ready for Arrival of World’s Navies
The Royal Australian Navy has tested its new Three Pound Saluting Gun Battery at the Garden Island Naval Base, in readiness for October’s International Fleet Review, which commemorates the arrival of Navy’s first fleet in Sydney Harbor in 1913. Commander Australian Fleet, Rear Admiral Tim Barrett, said the guns would next be fired for the official 21-gun salute during the welcome of the Fleet by the Governor-General, Her Excellency the Hon Ms Quentin Bryce. “Preparations for the…
Pacific Naval Exercise Fleet 2,000-Personnel Strong Sets Sail
Fifteen ships with about 2,000 Defence personnel from seven Pacific nations set sail from Darwin Harbour for the military training Exercise Kakadu. Maritime elements from Australia, Brunei, Indonesia, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore and Thailand will focus on aspects of maritime warfare common to all the forces involved. Over the 19 days of exercising, from 29 August to 14 September, graduated training activities and weapons practices are being conducted, including warfare and maritime security exercises and evolutions.
RAN Signs to Explore Bio-fuel Use with U.S. Navy
Australia’s Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Ray Griggs, AO, CSC, RAN and the US Secretary for Navy, Ray Mabus, have signed a Statement of Cooperation which recognises the potentially significant benefits research into alternative fuels can bring. It acknowledges the importance of the project, both for the environment and for national security. The RAN’s Fleet Commander, Rear Admiral Tim Barrett, AM, CSC, RAN delivered the Statement of Cooperation for the signing ceremony on board the US aircraft carrier USS Nimitz with Secretary Mabus on 19 July.
Australian Warship Propulsion Problem
HMAS Choules departed Sydney on 13 June 2012 for Queensland where it was scheduled to support Exercise Hamel in the Shoalwater Bay Training Area. The next day a defect occurred on one of the six transformers which form part of the ship’s propulsion system which reduced the ship’s propulsion power by 50 per cent. The ship’s Commanding Officer decided to return to Sydney in order to have the defect rectified. The Navy has been advised by the ship’s previous operator, the Royal Fleet Auxiliary, that the defect is very unusual.
