HMAS GEELONG, under the command of LCDR Matt Cawsey, has started the new year as she ended the old…with a dramatic foreign fishing vessel apprehension.

While on patrol in the vicinity of Ashmore Reef, Coastwatch aircraft reported an Indonesian Type II FFV well inside the Australian Fishing Zone. Guided to the position by the aircraft GEELONG quickly intercepted the vessel.

The Indonesian Type II FFV under tow with GEELONG's boarding party in charge

A boarding party consisting of LCDR Jeff Williams, POB Jarrad Weaving, AB Sam Parez and AB Mick Cunningham then swung into action.

A search of the vessel revealed a large amount of shark fin hidden below decks deep in her stern.

NT Fisheries Officer Mr Mick Munn informed the master that he would be towed to Darwin for further investigation.

The master became uncooperative refusing to drop his sails. GEELONG'S XO, LCDR Jeff Williams took control of the situation detailing his team to drop the sails and prepare fro connecting the tow.

· HMAS GEELONG approaches to take the tow.

The master, already agitated, attempted to interfere with the boarding party's efforts and a scuffle followed. He had to be restrained and removed from the FFV to GEELONG for his own safety allowing the boarding party to proceed with the tow unhampered.

He spent the night aboard GEELONG being returned to his vessel the following morning after his promised to the CO that he would "behave himself".

The FFV was handed over in Darwin harbour two days later without further incident.

LCDR Cawsey praised his ship's company after the boarding for its efforts.

By observing standard procedures and remaining alert; a potentially difficult boarding was completed without serious injury, he said.

Meanwhile, HMAS STIRLING in Western Australia registered a first on December 15, when it had six FREMANTLE-class patrol boats berthed in its small ships harbour.

Alongside were the Garden Islands-based HMAS BUNBURY and HMAS GERALDTON along with four Darwin-based visitors, HMA ships CESSNOCK, GAWLER, LAUNCESTON and WOLLONGONG

In the HMAS STIRLING small ships harbour are, left to right, HMAS GAWLER (No 212), HMAS LAUNCESTON with HMAS WOLLONGONG outboard, HMAS GERALDTON with HMAS CESSNOCK outboard and HMAS BUNBURY (No. 217)

The four visiting patrol boats had all been at sea off the northern Western Australia coast when the emergence of the fierce tropical cyclone Thelma saw their program changed and their fleet diversion to Fleet Base West.

They departed from Garden Island after two days in port.

It was the largest number of patrol boats seen along side at Fleet Base West at any one time since the base commissioned in 1978.