Image Gallery: September 2007
Commissioning ceremony for HMAS Launceston
24 September 2007
In a centuries-old tradition, the Royal Australian Navy’s (RAN) Armidale Class Patrol Boat (ACPB), HMAS Launceston, commissioned in Beauty Point near her namesake city on Saturday 22 September.
Launceston is the 12th of 14 state-of-the-art ACPBs to be commissioned into the RAN and was built by Western Australian shipbuilder Austal Ships. The first ACPB, HMAS Armidale, was commissioned in June 2005 and all of her sister ships are now operational.
In the ceremony, the ship’s Commissioning Order was read and the Australian White Ensign was hoisted for the first time. In attendance was the Minister for Defence, Dr Brendan Nelson, Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Russ Shalders, Commander Australian Fleet, Rear Admiral Nigel Coates, the Commander Australian Navy Systems Command, Commodore Steve Gilmore, who were joined by Tasmanian federal and state parliamentarians, Launceston Council and community representatives, veterans from Launceston (I) and personnel who served in Launceston (II), members of the naval community and the ship’s company and their families.
Read media release: NAVY'S TWELFTH ARMIDALE CLASS PATROL BOAT COMMISSIONS
| 2F3F0437 The ship's company of HMAS Launceston pose for a group photo in front of their new ship. (Date taken: 22 September 2007) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 2F3F0569 The Minister of Defence, Dr Brendan Nelson, inspects the guard during the commissioning ceremony for HMAS Launceston. (Date taken: 22 September 2007) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 2F3F0786 Members of HMAS Launceston on the bridge (L-R) Chief Petty Officer Bosun Stephen King, Petty Officer Marine Technician Peter Verko and Chief Petty Officer Marine Technician Gary Bartley. (Date taken: 22 September 2007) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 2F3F0875 Executive Officer Lieutenant Hugh Simpson and Minister for Defence Dr Brendan Nelson on board HMAS Launceston. (Date taken: 22 September 2007) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 2F3F0882 Commanding Officer of HMAS Launceston Lieutenant Commander Richard Stevenson presents commissioning lady Elizabeth Koch with a HMAS Launceston cap. (Date taken: 22 September 2007) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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