HMAS SIRIUS SHOWS OFF AT SAIL MOROTAI 2012

18 September 2012 By LEUT Chris Harvey and SBLT Jai Coppen

Sail Morotai bares the backdrop of HMAS Sirius.

HMAS Sirius showed off her might in the recent ‘Sail Morotai’ deployment which, after a successful departure fromExercise KAKADU 2012, saw her transit from Darwin to the small island of Morotai, Indonesia.

Located in the North Maluku Province, Morotai is Indonesia’s northernmost island and home to a small population who, until now, were isolated from the Indonesian tourism industry.

Now in its 12th year, ‘Sail Indonesia’ is an initiative started by the Indonesian Government to increase tourism, investment and infrastructure construction throughout the area. Traditionally, Sail Indonesia’s yachts begin their voyage in Darwin, NT and navigate through the Indonesian Archipelago to a chosen destination. Sail Morotai saw skippers from Australia, New Zealand, USA, UK, Sweden, France, Germany, Italy and Switzerland pass through one of two routes arriving in Morotai on 15 September 2012.

Sirius was at anchor and staged the backdrop to the main event which was opened by the Indonesian President, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. Approximately 5,000 guests, including foreign sailors, were expected to attended the international sailing event which began with the sail past of Warships from Indonesia, Singapore and the United States Navy.

Prior to proceeding to anchor Sirius’ Ship’s Company proceeded ashore to experience the cultural banquet that is Morotai. They were greeted by locals in a somewhat celebrity reception. The Naval Attaché Jakarta, supported by the Ship’s Company, donated education resources and sporting equipment to local schools. The crew of Sirius also raised the money to send two Morotai children to school for one year.

At anchor Sirius Ship’s Company Manned Ship and cheered for Indonesia as the first Indonesian Warship passed. The Australian Naval Attaché Jakarta, CAPT K. Bizilj, RAN reported that the Indonesian President was very pleased and grateful of Sirius’ participation.

Morotai is known for its involvement in WWII being occupied by both Allied and Enemy forces. It is in Morotai where General MacArthur extended his sphere of control for his campaign in the Pacific. HMA Ships Manoora (I), Kanimbla (I)and Westralia (I), all former merchant cruisers, were converted to Landing Ships Infantry and took part in the amphibious operations which brought the Allies closer to the Philippines.

15th September 2012, the day of the sail past, marked the 68th anniversary of the landings. It is safe to assume that warships present at Sail Morotai 2012 may well have been the largest naval show since 1944.

HMAS SIRIUS

          

Commanding Officer	Commander Brian Delamont
Pennant	O 266
Type	Combat Logistics
Classification	Replenishment Oiler (AOR)
Class	N/A
Based	Fleet Base West
Named	8 October 2004
Builder	Hyundai Mipo Dockyard
Commissioned	16 September 2006
Displacement	25016.53 tonnes
Length	191.3 metres
Beam	32 metres
Draught	11 metres
Armament	small arms
Main Machinery	1 x 6 cylinder Hyundai MAN B&W marine diesel, 1 x direct drive shaft
Speed	16 knots
Company	60 The Royal Australian Navy's afloat support capability is provided by the underway replenishment ships HMAS Sirius and HMASSuccess. The Afloat Support Force provides operational support for the rest of the fleet by providing fuel, stores and ammunition, thus significantly extending the RAN's operational reach and endurance at sea. It can also provide limited support to deployed Army and Air Force units. HMAS Sirius was built as a double-hulled commercial product tanker, MV Delos and purchased by the Commonwealth Government on 3 June 2004. Named Sirius, the ship underwent modification for underway replenishment. In addition, a flight deck was fitted for helicopter operations. The ship can carry over 34,806 cz (cubic metres) of fuel including 5,486 cz (cubic metres) of aviation fuel for use by RANhelicopters. Sirius can replenish ships at sea by day and night, and is capable of replenishing two ships at a time. She has transfer points for fuel, water and stores. Sirius is the first RAN ship to carry this name, however HMS Sirius (I) was commissioned into the Royal Navy in 1780 as the flagship of the 'First Fleet'. The name was selected because of its historical connections with the First Fleet and the import role the ship played in providing logistic support to the struggling economy. Her motto is "to serve and provide". HMAS SUCCESS HMAS Success, based on the French 'Durance' Class Ship was built in Australia by Cockatoo Dockyard Pty Ltd at Sydney, New South Wales. She was launched from their slipway on 03 March 1984 by her launching Lady, Her Excellency Lady Stephen, wife of the then Governor General of Australia and commissioned into the Royal Australian Navy on 23 April 1986. She is the largest ship built in Australia for the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) and also the largest ever built in the port of Sydney. Commanding Officer Commander Ainsley Morthorpe Pennant OR 304 Type Combat Logistics Classification Replenishment Oiler (AOR) Class Durance Class Based Fleet Base East Laid down 09 August 1980 Launched 03 March 1984 Builder Cockatoo Island Dockyard, Sydney, NSW Commissioned 23 April 1986 Displacement 18,000 tonnes (full load) Length 157.2 metres Beam 21.2 metres Armament .50 Cal Machine Guns Numerous small arms Westland Sea King 50 Helicopter Main Machinery Two independent propulsion systems, each consisting of a 16 PC 2-5V Pielstick ono-reversing medium speed diesel engine developing 7,640 kW at 520 RPM Speed 19 knots Company 220 Battle Honours Kuwait 1991 East Timor 1999 HMAS Success is an Auxiliary Oiler Replenishment (AOR) vessel of 18,000 tonne fully loaded and 157.2 metres in length. She is not the first ship to be named Success. In all, 19 British men-of-war ships are known to have carried the name, most during the 17th and 18th centuries. Contemporary maritime operations demand that naval combat units be supplied with fuel, ammunition, food and stores whilst underway at sea. HMAS Success is designed for this task. She is capable of day and night Replenishment at Sea (RAS) to ships alongside and concurrently by her embarked helicopter to other ships in company via Vertical Replenishment (VERTREP). Four mainRAS stations are fitted, two of which have dual functions and can be used to transfer either fuel or solid cargo. RAS operations are controlled from the Cargo Control Room amidships. During solid cargo transfer a traveller riding on a tension highline betweenSuccess and a fixed point in the receiving ship supports the load. During fuel transfers, the highline is used to support a hose which hangs from several travelling saddles and which has a quick connecting probe to mate with the fuel receiving point in the ship being fuelled. The solid cargo transfer stations are designed to handle sizeable loads of up to nearly 2 tonnes. All winches use hydraulic transmissions with electro hydraulic controls. The RAS system is designed to cope with the extreme demands caused by ship motion in rough weather and varying sea states. HMAS Success thus enables RAN fleet units to operate with a greater degree of flexibility and independence from shore support than has previously been possible from other RAN sources. The Ship's Company of 220 is required to operate and maintain the propulsion, replenishment, auxiliary machinery and support systems in Success. Providing underway replenishment support to the fleet is a challenging and continuing task requiring technical proficiency and high seamanship standards. As would be expected in a modern warship, accommodation and recreation areas are spacious and well designed. Meals are provided from one centralised galley that includes a bakery. The medical centre includes an operating theatre, infirmary and dental surgery. The Westland Sea King helicopter is an USA design but produced by Westland Helicopters in the UK. It is powered by two Rolls Royce Gnome H1400-1 engines, each producing 1600 shaft horsepower. It is crewed by two pilots, one observer (tactical coordinator) and one aircrewman. The primary role of theSea King is to provide support to the Fleet as a utility aircraft. It is also capable of carrying a weapon load of homing torpedoes and/or depth charges. Other roles include Search and Rescue, logistics support and training. A Sea King can lift 3 tonnes externally and can carry up to 23 armed troops. The versatility and reliability of this aircraft enables the crew to confidently carry out their mission in any weather conditions, day or night, thus making it a valuable asset to the RAN. The first HMAS Success The first HMAS Success (I) (H02) was an S Class DD built by Wm Doxford & Son Ltd., Sunderland UK. She was laid down on the 29 June 1918, launched 27 January 1920 and decommissioned 21 May 1931. She was eventually sold on 04 June 1937. HMAS Success (I) was 276ft in length with a beam of 26ft 9ins and a draft of 10ft 10ins. Her displacement was 1075 tons and had a speed of 36kts. HMAS Success (I) armament consisted of three 4 inch Mk IV BL; one 2 pounder Qf; one .303 inch Maxim MG; two .303 inch Lewis MG; one twin .303 inch Lewis MG; two twin 21 inch Mk IV TT; two DC trowers and four DC chutes. Originally built for the Royal Navy, she was to be renamed RABAUL by theRAN but this was rescinded on 11 June 1920 and the original name of Success was retained. Source: Royal Australian Navy