Surveys on the run
December 11, 2000
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cricket with some of the locals under the watchful eye of South Korean troops. |
Having been tasked to survey a beach called Lautem in the Eastern Province of East Timor, MERMAID, after liaising with the South Korean Peacekeepers guarding our shore parties; were made aware of another suitable beach site 10kms to the east.
Finishing the Lautem survey in less than 2 days, MERMAID sent an advanced party to the new site, Tenu, with a contingent of soldiers, to prepare the site.
MERMAID arrived at the location late on November 8 and assisted the advanced party in conducting a full beach intelligent report and surveying the site to the 100m contour. HMAS LABUAN was sighted early on November 9 , and after the usual exchanges, MERMAID informed her of this new location.
An hour later, after conferring with UNTAET PKF HQ, LABUAN requested whether the site was suitable for beaching.
MERMAID had a digital chart of the site already prepared and a suitable position right of beach centre was passed.
ANCHOR
MERMAID conducted its last tide reading and weighed anchor as LABUAN made was making their approach.Another Beach landing site has been made available to the hard working LCH's of East Timor in minimum time & fuss.
Prior to Tenu, MERMAID had surveyed Lautem and Com (Kun).
Whilst alongside the wharf at Com, recovering our infrastructure the ship's company took time out for an impromptu game of cricket with the local children, under the ever-present, watchful eye, of our South Korean "guardian angles".
Both MERMAID and PALUMA will continue on task in East Timor until early/mid December.
By LCDR
D.L. "Reg" Sowter
CO HMAS MERMAID