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HMAS
Westralia takes up the tow with HMAS Warrnambool.
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While
on border protection duties to the north of Ashmore Island recently,
HMAS Warrnambool (LCDR Mark Sorby) was taken in tow by HMAS Westralia
(CMDR John Alexander).
The
opportunity arose as Westralia transited the patrol area enroute
to HMAS Stirling during Warrnambool’s turn on the “line”.
This evolution is not often practised by ships of such vast size
difference and design.
The
tow, which was conducted in near perfect conditions, was witnessed
by several Indonesian Type II fishing vessels who were subsequently
boarded by Warrnambool on completion of the TOWEX.
In
the initial setting up for the evolution, Warrnambool played the
role of a stricken civilian vessel in need of assistance. As Westralia
responded and began to close Warrnambool to pass the tow, her
sheer size as she towered over the patrol boat was indeed daunting.
Once
the tow was connected up, with Warrnambool 90 yards astern, Westralia
began to come ahead at dead slow. After what seemed like a lifetime,
the tension was taken up by Westralia and Warrnambool began to
be dragged along in her wake.
After
towing Warrnambool for about 15 minutes over a distance of 2 miles
at slow speed, the tow was cast off and recovered by Warrnambool.
As
the sun set over the Arafura sea, Warrnambool steamed off to continue
patrol as Westralia slowly disappeared from view in the last rays
of the setting sun. .
