Team of experts to plan way forward on Amphibious Ships Fleet

The Government will appoint an independent team of experts to develop a plan to address problems in the repair and management of the amphibious and support ship fleet.

Mr Paul Rizzo, a Director of a number of major Australian corporations including the National Australia Bank and Malleson Stephen Jacques and the Independent Chair of the Defence Audit and Risk Committee, will lead the team.

He will be supported by Air Vice Marshal Neil Smith (rtd) and Rear Admiral Brian Adams (rtd) who have relevant experience in defence administration, engineering, maintenance, logistics, systems engineering, safety certification and the operation and support of amphibious ships.

The Terms of Reference for their work is released today and attached.

On 1 February, the Government announced that HMAS Manoora was to be decommissioned on the advice of the Chief of Navy. The Manoora was placed on operational pause by the Chief of Navy after the Seaworthiness Board in September last year, and an examination of the 40 year old ship has revealed it requires remediation of significant hull corrosion and the replacement of both gear boxes. As this work would cost over $20 million and take until April 2012 to complete, it is not considered value for money when Manoora was scheduled to be decommissioned at the end of next year.

On receiving that advice the Minister for Defence asked Defence for further advice outlining the reasons for the early decommissioning of HMAS Manoora and the extended unavailability of HMAS Kanimbla.

This advice, released today and attached, identifies systemic and cultural problems in the maintenance of the amphibious ship fleet.

Today we also outline ongoing maintenance activity with respect to HMAS Tobruk.

On 28 January, we were advised that with the decommissioning of HMAS Manoora, and the extended unavailability of HMAS Kanimbla, Navy was maintaining HMAS Tobruk at 48 hours notice for sea to ensure an amphibious lift capability was available.

On 2 February, we were advised that HMAS Tobruk was to commence maintenance work in order to be fully prepared to provide any assistance in the days following Cyclone Yasi, in the event not required.

On 4 February, we were advised that HMAS Tobruk had left its dock and was being prepared to return to 48 hours notice for sea.

This has however not yet occurred as further maintenance issues and problems have been identified.

This work includes efforts to survey, verify, certify and replace a number of safety critical flexible hoses necessary to ensure the safe operation of HMAS Tobruk.

The advice about the amphibious fleet provided by the Secretary of Defence and the Chief of the Defence Force makes it clear that problems with the amphibious fleet have built up over the past decade or more.

It states that many of the seeds of the problems we now face were sown long ago, and insufficient resources have been allocated to address materiel and personnel shortfalls since the ships were brought into service many years ago.

It also states that the establishment of the Seaworthiness Board in 2009 was a long overdue means of providing Chief of Navy with an independent review of maritime systems and its review of the amphibious ships provided a focus on the situation that was not previously available.

It is essential that the problems outlined in the advice are addressed as a matter of priority ahead of the transition to the new Landing Helicopter Dock Ships.

That is why we have asked Mr Rizzo to develop a plan to address the problems identified by the Secretary and the Chief of the Defence Force, to reform these practices, and oversee early stage implementation of those reforms.

Their work will be additional to the new comprehensive transition plan we have asked Defence to prepare to ensure a smooth transition to the introduction of the LHD ships in the middle of the decade.

Media Note:

Reform of Amphibious and Afloat Support Ship Repair and Management Practices Terms of References can be found at:

http://www.defence.gov.au/media/docs/amphibiousReview.doc

Causal factors contributing to the unavailability of the Navy’s two LPAs can be found at:

http://www.defence.gov.au/media/docs/causalFactors.pdf

Transition plan to Landing Helicopter Dock HMAS Manoora

HMAS Manoora will be decommissioned on the advice of Chief of Navy.

The Manoora was placed on operational pause by the Seaworthiness Board in September last year.

An examination of the over 40 year old ship has revealed it requires remediation of significant hull corrosion and the replacement of both gear boxes.

This work would cost over $20 million and would take until April 2012 to complete.

The Manoora was scheduled to be decommissioned at the end of next year.

“That is not value for money for another nine months of service,” Mr Smith and Mr Clare said.

Landing Helicopter Dock (LHD):

HMAS Manoora and the Royal Australian Navy’s other amphibious support ships (HMAS Kanimbla and HMAS Tobruk) will be replaced by two Canberra Class LHDs, the largest Ships ever operated by the Royal Australian Navy.

Later this month (February 18) the hull of the first LHD will be launched in Spain where it has been constructed by Navantia.

The hull will arrive in Melbourne next year for further work to be completed at the Williamstown Shipyard before the LHD becomes operational in 2014. Australia’s second LHD will become operational the following year.

The LHDs are bigger than Australia’s last aircraft carrier. Each is 230 meters long and can carry a combined armed battlegroup of more than 1000 personnel, 100 armoured vehicles and 12 helicopters. Each also includes a 40-bed hospital.

“Stepping up to this new capability is going to require a lot of work by Navy,” Mr Smith said.

“It is very different to the ships we currently operate. One LHD will effectively replace the entire amphibious force we have today. It also has a number of capabilities, such as a floating dock that the Royal Australian Navy does not currently operate.

“Because of the decommissioning of the Manoora and the age of our other amphibious ships, I have asked Defence to present a new comprehensive plan for the transition towards the new LHDs.”

Transition plan:

“I have asked Defence to present me with options and recommendations to ensure the smooth transition to the LHD,” Mr Smith said.

This could include the lease or purchase Ships that would provide a platform to train and prepare for the LHDs, such as a Bay Class Ship from the UK Government.

If this option is taken up it could provide for the decommissioning of the HMAS Kanimbla or HMAS Tobruk to be brought forward.

HMAS Kanimbla was also placed on operational pause by the Seaworthiness Board last year. The Kanimbla is not now expected to be available for operations until mid-2012 and is currently scheduled to be decommissioned at the end of 2014.

HMAS Tobruk is currently being maintained at a 48 hours readiness posture in order to meet Australian Defence Force preparedness requirements.

The Tobruk will be required to dock this year to replace worn-out support bearings on a propeller shaft. She is due to be decommissioned at the end of 2012.

HMAS Success conversion to double hull configuration

Defence has selected ST Marine as the preferred tenderer to convert the Royal Australian Navy tanker HMAS Success to be double hulled.

ST Marine represented the best value for money and the shortest time out of service.

The work will be carried out in Singapore, where the ship has a scheduled visit while on deployment in Asia and involves the double hulling of the HMAS Success to meet International Maritime Organisation standards for environmental protection against oil spills.

ST Marine’s tender came in under budget. As a result, funds saved on this project will be re-directed towards the priority repair and maintenance work required on HMAS Kanimbla and HMAS Manoora, for which a precautionary Operational Pause was recently initiated by the Chief of Navy. This work will occur concurrently at Garden Island, Sydney.

Overseas companies were allowed to bid for the work on HMAS Success as:

this is a o

ne-off project – work of this type will never again be carried out in Australia; and no Australian company had ever undertaken work of this type.

The on-going repair and maintenance of Navy ships happens in Australia and will stay in Australia. This includes the regular and on-going repair and maintenance of HMAS Success.

This year Defence will spend approximately $79M on ship repair and maintenance in the Sydney region.

Next year Defence has budgeted to spend $81M on ship repair and maintenance in the Sydney region.

Next year Defence will also issue tenders for five year contracts for the repair and maintenance of Navy ships at Garden Island. This work will all occur in Australia and is worth about half a billion dollars over the five years.

These long term contracts will provide more security for Australian businesses and more job security for their workforce.

Presentation of United States Navy Unit Commendations to members of RAN Clearance Diving Team 3 for service in Vietnam

The Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Russ Crane, was pleased to host the award ceremony in HMAS Waterhen for Royal Australian Navy Clearance Divers who served in Vietnam between 1968 and 1970. Clearance Diving Team 3 was awarded two United States Navy Unit Commendations today by the United States Navy’s Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral Gary Roughead.

Forty-three members of Clearance Diving Team 3, one of whom was killed in Vietnam, are eligible for the commendations. The delay in publicly recognising the achievements of Clearance Diving Team 3 was due to the Government policy at the time that restricted the acceptance of foreign awards from the Vietnam War by Australia together with an administrative oversight by Navy.

“When the National President of the Royal Australian Navy Clearance Diving Association, Mr Larry Digney, contacted me earlier this year asking for assistance to investigate the validity and history of these awards, we discovered that both Government policy at the time and latter administrative errors by Navy meant that these men had not been publicly recognised for their achievements.” Vice Admiral Crane said.

The Vietnam veterans were delighted to have the commendations finally awarded to recognise their outstanding service in the Vietnam War alongside their American compatriots. They were equally pleased to receive the commendations in the presence of the current Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Russ Crane, who is also the Navy’s most senior serving Mine Warfare and Clearance Diving Officer.

“I feel privileged to have been given the opportunity to correct the record for the Clearance Diving Association members to celebrate their 60th Anniversary in April 2011 under the banner of these prestigious awards.” Vice Admiral Crane said.

Vice Admiral Crane concluded, “These men have received a rare honour from the United States Navy for conducting their explosive ordnance disposal duties with exceptional professional competence, disregard for their own safety and an unwavering devotion to duty. This sets the standard for not only our current Navy Clearance Divers, but for all those serving in today’s Royal Australian Navy.”

NDU Symposium – China’s Naval Modernization: Cause for Storm Warnings?

HMAS Melbourne commences operations in the Gulf

The first of the newly upgraded Adelaide Class Guided Missile Frigates (FFG), HMAS Melbourne, has commenced maritime security operations in the Middle East, replacing the ANZAC Class Frigate (FFH) HMAS Parramatta.

HMAS Melbourne, now under the command of Commander Michael Harris, with an embarked Ship’s Company of 230, returns to the Middle East following previous missions in 2002 and 2004. She now boasts new missile and torpedo systems as part of the extensive capability enhancements provided by the FFG upgrade project.

Chief of Joint Operations, Lieutenant General Mark Evans, said that the men and women of the Royal Australian Navy provide essential naval support to coalition maritime security operations and the international effort to counter terrorism and piracy in the region.

“The work that our Navy people do is vital in strengthening maritime security in the Gulf of Aden and the environment around the Horn of Africa, and I have no doubt that the ship’s company of HMAS Melbourne will rise to the challenge and continue the good work already completed by HMAS Parramatta,” Lieutenant General Evans said.

Parramatta, commanded by Commander Heath Robertson, completed a successful six month rotation of maritime security operations and will return to her home base in Sydney next week.

Melbourne’s Operation SLIPPER deployment is the 24^th to the Middle East Area of Operations undertaken by a ship of the Australian Navy.

“Gas Risk Remains for Navy Boats” – A Response from the Chief of the Navy

I write in regard to an article in today’s Australian Newspaper (“gas risk remains for Navy boats”) by Michael McKenna. The article is based on a quote from an anonymous sailor, that a member was gassed on board an Armidale Class Patrol Boat in 2009 in an incident similar to a tragedy which injured four crew members 3 years earlier. I have asked Navy’s Patrol Boat Group Headquarters to thoroughly check their files. There is no record of this occurring.

For those who have not been aboard an Armidale, the austere accommodation compartment is designed to house any unexpected overflow of people. When not in use, the space is rarely used and usually sealed off. Therefore, the area is constantly monitored for any trace of toxic gas. Alarms sound at the slightest hint that levels of gas have risen to potentially dangerous levels, even if the amount of gas detected is below the amount toxic to humans. Those alarms have detected carbon monoxide emissions 8 times in the past 12 months and on each occasion the space was empty and no one was injured. No Hydrogen Sulphide (the gas involved in the tragedy in Nuship Maitland in 2006) has been detected. The recent introduction of better exhaust systems is significantly reducing the amount of carbon monoxide being ingested into the boats’ ventilation systems. Their sewage treatment systems are also being modified. Those improvements will continue across our patrol boat fleet.

The most recent incident involving Hydrogen Sulphide occurred in 2008. A small number of people at the HMAS CoonawarraNavy base in Darwin were slightly affected when the gas escaped from a sewage treatment plant as a patrol boat was undocking. This was the result of operator error and had nothing to do with the austere accommodation or the Armidales themselves.

Navy has never hidden the fact that like any new asset, the Armidales had some teething problems. But I can only repeat that the Armidale Class Patrol Boats are a safe, capable and reliable asset. I visited several of our 14 strong fleet just weeks ago and came away impressed with not only their capability but the ability and professionalism of those who crew them.

If Navy personnel of any rank still have concerns about the Armidales, I urge them to communicate this through their chain of command. New Generation Navy Signature Behaviours must apply and I will not tolerate measures or procedures which place our people in unnecessary danger.

However, the facts speak for themselves. I hope that any future reporting of this issue will focus more on the truth and less on hear-say.

Vice Admiral Russ Crane
Chief of Navy
2 January 2010

27-29 January 2010, Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre Sea Power Conference 2010

The RAN Sea Power Conference has become a significant event in the national and international maritime and security communities for its discussion on topical naval and maritime strategic issues. The broad theme of the 2010 Conference is Combined and Joint Operations from the Sea and is aimed at informing how Australia’s new expeditionary capabilities may be best introduced into service and used to advantage.

www.seapower.com

Surrender In The Name of Humanity 9 Nov 2009, Tributes to Australia’s first Victory at Sea – 95 years on

The Australian Navy is today commemorating the anniversary of the RAN’s first sea battle, between HMAS Sydney and the German light cruiser SMS Emden. The confrontation changed the way Australians thought of themselves as a maritime nation. On 9 November 1914, an urgent signal was sent by the wireless operator on the Cocos Islands, reporting the arrival of a mysterious warship. HMAS Sydney I, escorting the first Australian and New Zealand troop convoy to the European theatre of war, was sent to investigate.

The mysterious visitor turned out to be SMS Emden, which in just two months of war had alreaady captured or sunk 25 merchant vessels, a Russian cruiser and a French destroyer. The German ship opened fire first, accurately targeting her Australian enemy with a salvo every six seconds. A dozen hits were recorded in the first 10 minutes of the engagement, but fortunately for Sydney only five burst. Four Australian sailors were killed and several wounded.

Sydney hit back hard. Her 6-inch shells wrecked the enemy’s steering gear, shot away equipment and smashed Emden’s internal communications. Shortly afterwards her forward funnel toppled overboard, soon followed by the foremast.

Despite the damage and the inevitable end, Emden fought on. Half her crew were disabled and her second funnel had gone, before her captain ran her aground in a bid to prevent further loss of life.

Sydney’s  Commanding Officer Captain John Glossop later signaled his German counterpart:

” I have the honour to request that in the name of humanity you now surrender your ship to me. In the event of’ your surrendering in which I venture to remind you is no disgrace but rather your misfortune, I will endeavour to do all I can for your sick and wounded and take them to a hospital.”

Emden lost 134 men killed in action or died of wounds, but the care lavished on the injured by the Australian sailors did much to earn the respect of the defeated Germans.

Royal Australian Navy Historian Dr David Stevens says the RAN was blooded for the first time that day.  Although highly significant, the battle is sometimes overlooked.

“Australians are very familiar with the ANZAC legend forged at Gallipoli,” Dr Stevens said. ” but Australia’s baptism of fire came several months earlier, and a lot closer to home. By removing the German threat at sea the RAN ensured that future convoys could cross the oceans in safety. No Australian soldier was ever lost to enemy action on his way to the Middle East.”

The men who fought and died for their respective countries left behind a legacy of honour, honesty, courage, integrity and loyalty – these are the values which Navy lives by to this day.

Media Note:

Dr David Stevens from the Sea Power Centre in Canberra is available for interview on request.

Imagery of Sydney I and Emden can be found at www.Navy.gov.au

The original of CAPT Glossop’s signal is also on-line.

Media contact:

LCDR Fenn Kemp:         0423 395 416

Defence Media Liaison:  02 6127 1999 or 0408 498 664

Reception held on 4th November 2009 HMAS Melbourne