By
LCDR Mick Gulyas
HMAS
Paluma (LCDR Mick Gulyas) has celebrated her 14th birthday in
traditional navy style, at sea.
The
chef of Paluma, with her usual flair, provided a large rainbow
cake for the occasion.
Paluma, first of the four Survey Motor Launches, was commissioned
into the RAN in Adelaide on February 27, 1989.
Since
that time Paluma has steamed nearly 210,000 nautical miles, seen
nine commanding officers and numerous other personnel live and
serve in her.
Paluma’s
name is derived from the Aboriginal word meaning ‘Thunder’
and the current Paluma is the fourth vessel to wear that name.
Paluma
I was a gunboat of the pre-federation Queensland Navy. She was
converted to survey duties shortly after entering service and
spent the majority of her life undertaking surveys in and around
the Great Barrier Reef.
Her
name lives on in the Paluma Ranges and the township of Paluma,
situated to the north of Townsville.
Paluma
II was a Customs examination vessel based at Thursday Island.
She was taken up for active service in 1942 and her exploits resulted
in her being awarded Battle Honours for the New Guinea theatre
1942-1943.
Paluma
III was a converted motor stores lighter, in commission from 1958
to 1972. She spent the greater part of her life surveying waters
in the Great Barrier Reef and Torres Strait.
De-commissioned
in 1972 and sold to private interests, she was still operating
as a supply ship out of Cairns in the early 1990’s.
The
current Paluma, namesake of the class of four, has also seen some
changes.
The
ships have gone from the traditional survey white to warship grey
with side numbers. Their survey systems have been markedly upgraded
and will shortly see the introduction of multi beam echo sounder
technology.
The
compliment has been increased by nearly 50 per cent as the vessels
provide an ideal training platform, particularly for junior seaman
officers who undertake duties as the A/NAV.
HMAS
Paluma, in company with HMAS Mermaid, (LCDR Ross Bowden), are
currently undertaking a survey of Port Essington.
