Westralia, Success rock through RAS
Professionalism, skill, humour and patience make RAS Masters

MEGARAS: HMAS Success passed 49 loads, HMAS Westralia returned 12 backloads and after a short break took on 52 tonnes of water.

By CMDR Rod Kenyon
Late last month a quiet metamorphosis took place in the Auxiliary Afloat Support world. Originally tasked to assume Op Relex II duties on April 21 HMAS Westralia (CMDR John Alexander) was heavily committed to FAMP 17 and unlikely to be within the AO by May 2. The solution was simple and a success — HMAS Success (CMDR John Connor).

Conducting an operational visit to Fremantle, Success was on station within the Relex II AO by April 21 without an operational beat being missed.

Following a Herculean effort by the Westralia MT department, part one of FAMP 17 was completed ahead of time. So it was that on the morning of April 29 the largest vessel to ever undertake the patrol handed over to an even bigger one in the form of her big sister. After initial briefings and a boat transfer of the Army detachment, the ships manoeuvred for a Heavy Jackstay to transfer the Op Relex II specific stores and then also conduct a RAS (L - Water) from Success to Westralia.

At 1000, the tunes from artists of the likes of The Verve, Paul Kelly, Jimmy Barnes, ACDC and an unmentioned Country and Western singer could be heard echoing across the Indian Ocean, only to be slightly drowned out by the rumbling engines of Success and Westralia. The marathon RAS had begun. After only a short time the two ships were joined for what was possibly one of the largest Heavy Jackstay evolutions undertaken by the RAN in recent experience. With Success passing 49 loads, Westralia returning 12 backloads and then after a short break receiving 52 tonnes of water.

All in all, the evolutions lasted for approximately 7 hours.

Although a very busy day for all involved, the ‘RAS Masters’ illustrated their professionalism through skill, a sense of humour and patience under trying conditions. As Success sailed northwards on a maritime patrol (still in support of Relex II), the capability and flexibility of the RAN’s largest units (and only tankers) was once more showcased in the operational arena.

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