The Navy Vol_73_No_4 Oct 2011 - Navy League of Australia

FLASH TRAFFIC. . – . . – . . . – . . . . . . . – . – . . – . . – . . . – . . . – . – . . . – . . – . . . – . . . . . . . –(Forgacs) and Ferrol, Spain (Navantia).Three sonar blocks are being constructed inSpain and the United Kingdom.Approximately 70 blocks will be shipped toAdelaide over the next four years where they willbe consolidated into three new warships.Over the next six months it is expected that sixblocks will be delivered from Melbourne andNewcastle to Adelaide.The first block delivered weighs around 180tonnes. It is 18 metres long, 16 metres wideand five metres high and will form part of thekeel of HMAS HOBART.It was loaded on to a barge at BAE System’sMelbourne shipyard on 11 August.The barge was towed by tug boat to theCommon User Facility in Adelaide arriving on 15August.Further work on the block including blast andpaint, fitting pipes, installing communicationsand electrical cables and fitting internal wallswill now be completed.Two other hull blocks are currently beingprepared for shipment from Melbourne toAdelaide.Construction has begun on all main blocks forthe first ship and work has also begun on blocksfor the second ship, HMAS BRISBANE.Next year work will begin on blocks for the thirdship, HMAS SYDNEY, and the first ship will startto be consolidated in Adelaide.DECOMMISSIONING OF HMAS KANIMBLAOn 18 August the Minister for Defence, StephenSmith, and Minister for Defence Materiel, JasonClare, announced that the remaining LPA HMASKANIMBLA would be decommissioned.In September 2010 the then Chief of Navyimposed an operational pause on HMAS ShipsKANIMBLA and MANOORA due to seaworthinessconcerns. Since then, Defence has assessedthe future of HMAS KANIMBLA.This included a detailed assessment ofthe capability provided by KANIMBLA, anassessment of its materiel state and a cost andrisk assessment.The outcome of this assessment is that themost cost effective and lowest risk option is todecommission HMAS KANIMBLA.The cost to complete the extensive remediationwork required on HMAS KANIMBLA is estimatedto be up to $35 million.HMAS KANIMBLA would not on that basis beavailable for operations until at least mid-2012.HMAS KANIMBLA was scheduled in any eventto be decommissioned at the end of 2014.The Minister said that “it does not representvalue for money to therefore pursue furthermaintenance on HMAS KANIMBLA.”Accordingly, on the basis of advice andrecommendations from the Chief of Navy andthe Chief Executive Officer of the DefenceMateriel Organisation, the Government agreedto decommission HMAS KANIMBLA.CHIEF OF NAVY CONGRATULATES GROUPBRAVERY CITATION RECIPIENTSThe Chief of Navy has congratulated 18Australian Defence Force personnel who wererecognised by the Governor General for theirinvolvement in the Suspected Irregular EntryVessel (SIEV) 36 tragedy in 2009.Included in this group were 15 Navy people whowere awarded a Group Bravery Citation for theirinvolvement in rescuing passengers and Navycrews after SIEV 36 exploded near AshmoreReef off Western Australia on 16 April 2009.One of these personnel, Leading SeamanMatthew Keogh, also received the BraveryMedal for his contribution.Chief of Navy Vice Admiral Ray Griggs praisedthe efforts of all personnel onboard theArmidale class Patrols Boats CHILDERS andALBANY as well as those at Northern CommandHeadquarters in Darwin for their efforts on thetragic day.“This is well-deserved recognition for all theNavy people who worked hard to save lives onthat tragic day,” VADM Griggs said.“We should all be proud of their efforts and,on behalf of the Royal Australian Navy, Icongratulate them for their work both on thisday and throughout their careers.“Both CHILDERS and ALBANY continuallymanoeuvred with their rigid-hulled inflatableboats to rescue as many people as possible.Ultimately, all nine Defence Force personnelonboard the SIEV at the time, and 44 passengersand crew of the vessel were recovered. Sadly,five people died and a number sustainedserious injuries.“This award is also recognition for all the menand women who put themselves on the linewhen they pull on the uniform and undertakeOperation RESOLUTE in northern Australianwaters. It is a task that is undertaken everysingle day, and one that requires greatpersistence, dedication and professionalism,”VADM Griggs said.02Sea King Shark 07. This Sea King will be preserved at the Fleet AirArm Museum in Nowra while the remaining aircraft are being offeredfor sale by tender. (RAN)03The first keel block for construction of HMAS HOBART – Australia’s first Air WarfareDestroyer – arriving at the ASC Shipyard in Adelaide. (RAN)18 THE NAVY VOL. 73 NO. 4