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Gladstone
celebrates
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SMNSN
Jason Quirk and PONPC Paul Marychurch cut HMAS Gladstone’s
18th birthday cake.
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On September
8, the second last of the RAN’s Fremantle-class patrol boats
turned 18.
Eighteen years and 490,107 miles on from her commissioning, HMAS
Gladstone (LCDR Chris Smith) lay forlornly alongside Darwin Naval
Base, her main machinery room open to the elements as the ship’s
engineering sailors and FIMA personnel worked tirelessly to replace
her port main engine.
The engine, which seized en route to Darwin from the ship’s
homeport of Cairns, demonstrated that age catches up with all of
us. However, Gladstone received a replacement for her 18th birthday,
ensuring that she can continue to conduct fisheries patrols as well
as operations in support of Op Relex II.
The ship’s company took the opportunity provided by the prolonged
stay in Darwin to conduct training in first aid and damage control.
Following some leak-stopping and repair at the North Australian
Safety Centre just outside Darwin, the ship’s company held
its own quiet celebration of Gladstone’s coming of age. PONPC
Paul Marychurch and SMNSN Jason Quirk, the oldest and youngest members
of the ship’s company, respectively, shared the honours in
cutting the cake — SMN Quirk being only a few months older
than his ship.
With a new engine and following a birthday rest in Darwin, Gladstone
is ready to get back to work in the waters to Australia’s north.
May her future years be as good as those that have already been,
as she continues to live up to her motto and “Defend the Right”.
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