Media Room: Media Releases

HMAS Kanimbla transited the Lombok Straits between Bali and Lombok late yesterday and is expected to take up station off the Indonesian island of Sumatra later this week.

The ship is carrying 780 tonnes of equipment and stores for the humanitarian effort in

Indonesia.

With a regular crew of approximately 240 men and women, Kanimbla is carrying a detachment of 150 engineers (1 Combat Engineer Regiment, based in Darwin) who are looking forward to getting down to work. The engineers will soon set to work in support of Indonesian Government authorities rebuilding and restoring essential services in tsunami-affected areas.

Two Sea King Helicopters and two landing craft will begin offloading the ship's cargo as soon as Kanimbla arrives on station off Banda Aceh.

The mood amongst the men and women on board remains upbeat, with both Navy and Army personnel bracing themselves for what will be a challenging job.

Vision is available via the television networks at Parliament House.

Defence Media Liaison 02 6265 3343 or 0408 498 664