Defence: Ships

Senator Johnston asked the Minister for Defence, upon notice, on 11 January 2010:

For the period 1 July to 30 September 2009:

1. Which ships were fully operational with a full crew complement.
2. For each ship that was non‑operational, what was the reason for its non‑operational status.
3. What were the operational strengths on the ships of the: (a) engineering officers and sailors; and (b) non-engineering officers and sailors.

Senator Faulkner - The answer to the honourable senator's question is as follows:

1. Frigates.  In regards to the operational readiness and crewing of Frigates, please refer to Senate Question on Notice 2546.
   
   Amphibious & Afloat Support Ships.  HMA Ships Success, Kanimbla and Tobruk were fully operational with managed crewing gaps corresponding with their scheduled activities. HMA Ships Balikpapan, Betano, Brunei, Labuan and Wewak were fully operational with managed crewing gaps throughout; conducting their regular maintenance and operational cycle including deployments to the South Pacific.
   
   Minehunting Ships.  HMA Ships Diamantina, Yarra, Gascoyne and Huon were fully operational throughout the period, albeit HMAS Huon was configured and crewed as a general purpose patrol vessel until 4 September, rather than as a minehunter. HMAS Norman was fully operational until 4 September.
   
   Hydrographic Ships.  HMA Ships Leeuwin, Mermaid and Shepparton were fully operational and fully crewed for the period.  HMAS Melville although fully crewed was only fully operational until 27 September.  HMAS Benalla was fully crewed and operational until 15 August.  HMAS Paluma became operational and was fully crewed from 14 September, on completion of the ship’s survey system upgrade.
   
   Patrol Boats.  HMA Ships Armidale, Bathurst, Larrakia, Albany, Pirie, Ararat, Maitland, Broome, Bundaberg, Childers, Wollongong, Launceston, Maryborough and Glenelg.  Patrol Boats operate a multi crewing concept in order to achieve maximum operational effectiveness while maintaining a stable program for personnel. 21 complete crews operate the 14 patrol boats.
2. Amphibious and Afloat Support Ships. HMAS Sirius was fully crewed and in maintenance until late August when the ship became fully operational again. HMAS Manoora was fully operational with managed crew gaps until entering refit mid August. HMAS Tarakan was fully crewed and in refit throughout the period.
   
   Minehunting Ships.  HMAS Norman became non-operational on 4 September when the ship commenced preparations for extended readiness.  HMAS Hawkesbury was non operational for the whole period due to preparations for extended readiness.
   
   Hydrographic Ships.  HMAS Melville was non operational for the period 28 to 30 September due to a defect on the ship’s propulsion plant.  HMAS Paluma conducted an upgrade of the ships survey system which included the fitting of new survey sensors and processors. HMAS Paluma completed this process and returned to operations 14 September.  HMAS Benalla entered the upgrade process 15 August and will not return to operations until April 2010.
   
   Patrol Boats. HMAS Maryborough was non-operational from the period 3-15 September due to fuel particulate contamination due to gasket material, and HMAS Armidale was non-operational from 12-21 September due to a port main engine defect However, all units were replaced by another boat resulting in nil impact on operations
3.  
   1. Amphibious & Afloat Support Ships.  Amphibious & Afloat Support Group major fleet units were on average 92 per cent crewed with engineering officers and 85 per cent crewed with engineering sailors.  Amphibious & Afloat Support Group minor war vessels do not have engineering officers and were crewed with 100 per cent engineering sailors.
      
      Minehunting Ships.  Mine Hunters were 100 per cent crewed with engineering officers (roles are performed by Chief Petty Officer Marine Technicians borne as Senior Technical Officers) and 96 per cent crewed with engineering sailors.  Mine Sweeper Auxiliaries were 100 per cent crewed with engineering officers (roles are performed by Petty Officer Marine Technicians borne as Senior Technical Officers) and 100 per cent crewed with engineering sailors.
      
      Hydrographic Ships.  Hydrographic units were 100 per cent crewed with engineering officers and 94 per cent crewed with engineering sailors.
      
      Patrol Boats.  All Patrol Boats were 100 per cent crewed with engineering officers (roles are performed by Chief Petty Officer Marine Technicians borne as Senior Technical Officers) and 100 per cent crewed with engineering sailors by managing shortfalls through multi-crewing Personnel Deficiency Management system.  
   2. Amphibious & Afloat Support Ships.  AASGRP major fleet units were 100 per cent crewed with non-engineering officers and 90 per cent crewed with non-engineering sailors.  AASGRP minor war vessels were crewed 100 per cent with non-engineering officers and 100 per cent crewed with non-engineering sailors.
      
      Minehunting Ships.  Mine Hunters were 100 per cent crewed with non-engineering officers and 98 per cent crewed with non-engineering sailors. Mine Sweeper Auxiliaries were 100 per cent crewed with non-engineering officers (roles are performed by Senior Sailors) and 100 per cent crewed with non-engineering sailors.
      
      Hydrographic Ships.  Hydrographic units were 97 per cent crewed with non-engineering officers and 95 per cent crewed with non-engineering sailors.
      
      Patrol Boats.  All Patrol Boats were 100 per cent crewed with non-engineering officers and 98 per cent crewed with non-engineering sailors. 

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