He tried to play it down, but when LCDR Bob Heffey handed over the "keys" of HMAS DUBBO to LCDR Tim Watson, you could tell that he would never forget us, or his warship.

In the 18 months LCDR Heffey had commanded DUBBO, she had carried out more than 100 boardings, went to the aid of hundreds of illegal refugees and travelled 45,000 miles.

It was under his command that three members of the ship's company received the Maritime Commander's Commendation for bravery and professionalism.

He also too his ship across the wild seas of the western Pacific to visit various nations, some of which later collapsed into civil war.

LCDR Heffey has enjoyed a holiday with wife Ange in Thailand and upon return is keeping his fingers well and truly in the pie, taking over as Commander Operations, HQ Northern Command.

LCDR Watson comes to us fresh from three years working with the US Coastguard.

Based in Portsmouth, Virginia, he was involved with law enforcement and search and rescue operations.

The experience has given him a broad perspective and an open mind in approaching the complex civil surveillance program, which guides so much of DUBBO's operations.

It was not a soft start for him with DUBBO "crash sailed" the day after he took command.

In just two hours DUBBO was away on a Friday afternoon to investigate a Coastwatch report of 18 unlicensed Indonesian fishing vessels in the AFZ.


DUBBO apprehended three vessels and commenced the long tow to Darwin.

A triple tow is a difficult evolution in anyone's book, but one of the craft was in such poor condition it sank.

Its crew was brought safely to DUBBO.

No sooner had she returned to DNB than the 250 tonne patrol boat was re tasked and sent to check another report of unlicensed fishing in Australian waters.

Just when DUBBO was about to take an Indonesian fishing vessel in tow, bringing our total for the patrol to 12 boardings, we were ordered to go to the aid of a suspected illegal entry vessel near Ashmore Islands.

The craft was carrying 94 suspected illegal immigrants from the Middle East and four Indonesian crew.

The vessel was apprehended by DUBBO.

Meanwhile DUBBO has produced the second edition of a monthly newsletter which goes out to families and the friends of the ship's company.

The newsletter outlines DUBBO's activities during patrol and gives a heads up to future operations and events.

LCDR Watson said ," keeping people informed is very important and the Dubbo News is a a great way to achieve this."

By SBLT Corinne van Beck