The crew of patrol boat HMAS GERALDTON ( LCDR P Orchard) found hookah diving gear (compressor, air line and regulator) when they arrested and searched an Indonesian Type 2 fishing boat found fishing illegally in Australian waters.

HMAS GERALDTON…diving gear found

The arrest took place north west of Broome and involved Coastwatch. GERALDTON took the fishing boat, the Pelita Jaya to the Willie Creek detention mooring just north of Broome where the vessel and crew were handed over to fisheries inspectors.

The arrest took to 44 the number of foreign fishing vessels detained by the RAN's patrol boats in northern Australian waters this year.

Several hundred fishermen have been detained along with their craft.

Heavier ships of the RAN were also busy with HMAS ANZAC and NEWCASTLE going deep into the Southern Ocean to arrest three large trawlers found poaching Patagonian toothfish in Australian waters.

The ships brought the arrested trawlers back to Fremantle.

C Troop, Pilbara Regt, comes alongside GERALDTON during a training serial. Picture: LEUT MJ de Rutar.

Earlier GERALDTON played a supporting role to 1200 personnel and elements of both the Australian Army and the Army Reserve during Exercise Spiderman '98.

Taking place on the North West Cape Peninsula, the primary objectives of the exercise were to conduct protective operations in defence of insertion or attack on North West Cape and to test the successful deployment of 13 Brigade and its supporting elements.

GERALDTON's primary roles were more subtle and included covert insertions and extractions, in particular A Squadron 10 Light horse and 161 Reconnaissance Squadron.

Before the operation, detailed familiarisation of the ship's fit and capabilities was demonstrated by the ship's company, including a brief searide for about 40 Army personnel within Exmouth Gulf.

Additionally the ship's company provided guided tours for 160 13-brigade personnel.

Following Spiderman, GERALDTON conducted a short visit to Dampier as part of Exercise Emu Eye and embarked members of the Pilbara Regiment.

By Graham Davis