OIC RAN LSE Darwin, LCDR Andy Nelson and members of the team at the bow HMAS JERVIS BAY at Fort Hill Wharf, Darwin.

March 1, following almost six month of round the clock service, marked the end of business for the RAN's Darwin Logistics Support element.

In those six month the element had supported RSN and foreign warships assigned to Operation Stabilise.

Headed by a RAN supply officer, LCDR Andy Nelson, the team comprised personnel from COONAWARRA (including Darwin Naval Base) port services, naval stores, Navy fuel installation, PNR, Visits Liaison, coxswains, Canadian Naval support Element, HQNORCOM Ops and Naval Control of Shipping, and Joint Movements staff.

This integrated approach ensured a close liaison was maintained to manage not only the myriad ship visits to Darwin harbour, but for the forwarding of naval and ground forces equipment and supplies into East Timor.

The team supported 31 ships from 10 nations throughout the operation.

In Darwin ship visits alone, it represented 311 ships, many of which involved multiple berth movements to facilitate the loading, fuelling and provisioning of vessels.

During this period all vessels achieved logistics requirements within the operational timeframes without disruption to commercial shopping in the port.

The assistance of the ships and establishments (and MHQ) who contributed loan personnel in support of local manning ensured the high rate of effort was able to be maintained consistently, and this assistance was very much appreciated.

For most of the personnel in Darwin these efforts will be followed by a sea posting, and for many of the small boats qualified amongst them, a short notice draft to an FCPB conducting maritime surveillance operations as part of Operation Cranberry.