Bundaberg News

The Royal Australian Navy-operated Sail Training Ship Young Endeavour returned to Sydney recently after a 10-month circumnavigation of Australia. Since departing Sydney in May 2016, more than 500 young people have developed important leadership and life skills as part of the youth development program conducted onboard. During each of the 11 to 13-day voyages, 24 youth crew learnt the skills necessary to sail a square-rigged tall ship. This included how to navigate, keep watch, cook in the galley, set and furl sails, take the helm and climb the 30-metre mast. Each crew elected a leadership team to command the 44-metre brigantine, taking over while the Navy crew assisted.

Defence today unveiled an Indigenous painting at its Science and Technology headquarters in Canberra as a mark of respect for cultural diversity within the organisation. The artwork, Song Cycle of the Seven Sisters, painted by award-winning Indigenous artist Anthony Walker, was unveiled by the Secretary for Defence, Dennis Richardson, Chief Defence Scientist Dr Alex Zelinsky, and Elder of the Ngunnawal people, Aunty Agnes Shea. The artwork depicts Gurreng Gurreng people singing up to the Seven Sisters at a turtle nesting site in Mon Repos, Bundaberg. The Seven Sisters (also known as The Pleiades star constellation) safely guide turtles into shore to lay their eggs – ensuring continued abundance of turtles in the area.

Severe Tropical Cyclone Marcia is predicted to intensify to a Category 4 system as it crosses the Queensland coast between Mackay and Gladstone early on Friday morning with destructive winds with gusts of up to 270 km/h expected near the core of the system. Gales are expected to develop about coastal and island communities between Bowen and Double Island Point this evening (Thursday), and extend inland to areas including Blackwater, Moura, Biloela, and Monto overnight and into Friday morning. Residents in the coastal warning zone, between Mackay and Double Point (including Gladstone and Bundaberg) are warned of the potential for a dangerous storm tide as the cyclone crosses the coast.

Armidale Class Patrol Boat HMAS Bundaberg suffered significant damage due to a fire which occurred on Monday, August 11, 2014 in Brisbane. The boat was undergoing routine maintenance at the Aluminium Boats Australia commercial facility when the fire started. Since then, an environmental assessment of the site has been completed, allowing officials access to conduct a structural safety assessment. Once the safety assessment is completed, a full assessment of the extent of damage can then be undertaken. The cause of the fire remains under investigation. The future employment of the vessel is uncertain.

The Armidale Class Patrol Boat, HMAS Bundaberg, has suffered extensive damage following Monday’s fire in Brisbane while undergoing routine maintenance at Aluminium Boats Australia (ABA). The Queensland Fire and Emergency Service was quickly in attendance to deal with the incident. The intensity of the fire and difficulty of access was such that the fire was not extinguished until around 5pm. Early indications are that the fire started in the forward part of vessel and made it to the aft section, causing extensive damage throughout.

Today at approximately 12:10 pm HMAS Bundaberg suffered damage due to a fire while undergoing maintenance at a civilian contractor site in a Brisbane shipyard.   Defense understands that at least two civilian contractors suffered smoke inhalation and were treated at the scene. No members of the Navy crew were injured in the incident.   Local civilian fire units are attending the incident. The cause of the fire is not known at this time   An assessment of damage and an investigation into the cause of the fire will be undertaken once it is safe to do so.

The Australian Navy’s three remaining Landing Craft Heavy auxiliary vessels put on a proud display of thanks to the Cairns community, sailing in formation from the city’s harbor this morning. This was the last time HMA Ships Brunei, Labuan and Tarakan will sail in-company together in the port they have called home for nearly 30 years. Commanding Officer of Brunei, Lieutenant Commander Matthew Richardson said the formation exit marks the start of the ships’ decommissioning voyages: “The first of the Balikpapan class ships arrived in Cairns in the mid-eighties.

Australian Minister for Defense Senator David Johnston announced the entry of the Royal Australian Navy Fleet into Sydney Harbor for the International Fleet Review. Senator Johnston said the International Fleet Review was planned in partnership with the NSW Government and the City of Sydney and will draw around 40 warships, 16 tall ships, more than 60 aircraft, 10 military bands and 8,000 sailors from 17 nations around the world. The nations participating include Australia, Brunei…

U.S. based Liquid Robotics' 'Wave Glider' completes the first ever Trans-Pacific voyage by a wave-powered autonomous robot vessel. The first Pacific Crossing (PacX ) Wave Glider, Papa Mau, completes its 9,000 nautical mile (16,668 kilometers) scientific journey across the Pacific Ocean to set a new world record for the longest distance traveled by an autonomous vehicle. Throughout his journey, Papa Mau navigated along a prescribed route under autonomous control collecting and…

The Naming Ceremony for the eighth and ninth Armidale Class Patrol Boats to be launched was held at the Austal shipyard in Henderson, Western Australia. Fourteen patrol boats in total are to be delivered to the Royal Australian Navy. The 183.7 ft., all-aluminium monohull vessels were named Broome by Mrs Anne Zilko, daughter of ex crew member Bill Ritchie (subsequently a Commander in the RAN), and Bundaberg by Dr Jocelyn Pixley, daughter of Lieutenant Commander Neville D Pixley RANR, Commanding Officer, HMAS Bundaberg. The ceremony was attended by senior figures from the Royal Australian Navy, Department of Defence, Government and industry including The Hon.

The Naming Ceremony for the eighth and ninth Armidale Class Patrol Boats to be launched was held at the Austal shipyard in Henderson, Western Australia. Fourteen patrol boats in total are to be delivered to the Royal Australian Navy. The 56 m, all-aluminum monohull vessels were named “Broome” by Mrs Anne Zilko, daughter of ex crew member Bill Ritchie (subsequently a Commander in the RAN), and “Bundaberg” by Dr Jocelyn Pixley, daughter of Lieutenant Commander Neville D Pixley RANR, Commanding Officer, HMAS Bundaberg. The first HMAS Broome was commissioned in Brisbane in 1942. She commenced her career engaged on anti-submarine patrols and escort duties in the North Queensland area…