Salvage teams, are making final preparations to tow the crippled Royal Navy destroyer, HMS Nottingham backwards to Australia.

The experts hope to begin the 450 nautical mile tow about August 3.

A speed of about four knots was anticipated.

"While a final decision on the destination port has yet to be made, UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) officials are engaged in discussions with Newcastle Port Corporation to determine suitability of Newcastle for the work necessary to prepare the ship for passage to the UK," LCDR Mike Souter, the spokesperson for the Royal Navy told Navy News from the island on Tuesday, July 30.

He said that after preparatory work in Australia it is likely that a heavy lift ship will be used to take her to the UK.

"The work involved in preparing the ship for passage to the UK includes some additional structural strengthening work, de-storing and de-ammunitioning," LCDR Souter said.

"Members of the ship's company and other UK MoD personnel will assist with this work.

"All munitions on the ship are safely stored and in a stable condition.

"Their removal will be carried out by ordnance experts and with the full agreement of the Australian authorities.

"All procedures for de-fuelling, de-storing and other evolutions will be agreed in advance with Australian local and national authorities as well as other appropriate agencies," LCDR Souter said.

A UK MoD salvage master will be embarked on the ship for the tow.

Beforehand the ship's commanding officer, CMDR Richard Farrington and the bulk of his ship's company will leave the vessel and fly to Sydney.

The salvage role of the RAN has now been taken over by 15 civilian and Defence divers and salvage experts working for the British Salvage and Marine Operations SALMO.

In recent weeks these divers have attached more steel plate to the hull of the ship to enhance her floatability.

They have done internal shoring, a task begun by the ship's company.

A total of 140 of her sailors were flown to RAAF Richmond and given the option of taking leave in Sydney or returning to the UK.

On Friday, July 26, 30 wives and girl friends were to arrive in Sydney to be with them.
The remaining sailors are maintaining the warship.

"When the tow starts, 15 of them - a salvage crew - will be on Nottingham," LCDR Souter said.
"The others will be aboard the three tugs involved in the tow."

The primary vessel is the Australian tug Pacific Chieftain.

She will attach to the ship's stern.

"A second tug, the Singapore registered Yam O will take her bow and act like a rudder," LCDR Souter said.

"The Brisbane-based tug Austral Salvor will be escort," he said.

By Graham Davis