Warrnambool takes biggest catch ever
Gill nets are banned in Australian waters because of their singularly destructive impact on the marine environment

The 600 tonne Nalendra Raya Bhakti-53 apprehended by HMAS Warrnambool was escorted to Darwin after a short chase and was taken into custody.

A member of Warrnambool’s crew with some of the catch taken by some fourteen nautical miles of gill net. Photos courtesy HMAS Warrnambool

HMAS Warrnambool (LCDR Mark Sorby) has recently completed a busy patrol schedule in the vicinity of Ashmore Island.

Warrnambool apprehended the Nalendra Raya Bhakti-53, a 600 tonne, 65 metre Taiwanese owned Foreign Fishing Vessel (FFV). The FFV was reportedly acting as a mother ship for several Type II and III FFVs operating in the vicinity. She is the largest FFV arrested this year.

Warrnambool, which was some 70 nm away, was alerted to the FFV by a Coastwatch aircraft and immediately closed to prevent her fleeing back into international waters. After a short stern chase Warrnambool boarded the FFV just two nautical miles inside the AFZ.

AFMA requested the vessel be escorted to Darwin for further investigation. Warrnambool duly escorted the vessel to Darwin Harbour where she passed the duty to HMAS Geraldton and resumed her patrol.

The FFV had some 14 nm of Gill nets onboard. These are banned in Australian waters because of their singularly destructive impact on the marine environment and indiscriminate netting of many marine species including turtles, sharks, dolphins and other marine mammals.

Early in June, the patrol boat met up with the Customs vessel Storm Bay, while both vessels were carrying out separate tasks around the Ashmore Island Marine Park.

Worsening weather conditions saw both boats take shelter at anchor in the island’s outer lagoon. This presented a great opportunity for the two crews to get together for a number of social and sporting events.

The activities included a quiz night with three teams from the Junior Sailors Mess, a combined Wardroom/Senior Sailors Mess team and the third team from Storm Bay. The quizmaster, LEUT Danny Hughes passed questions to the ACV crew via VHF radio.

The outcome was very close, however a late dash by the Junior Sailors saw them snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.

Other social events included a tombola night, BBQ and a tour of Storm Bay, followed by a game of volleyball between the two crews on a sandbar. With the awesome scenery and enjoyable company, it really was a memorable experience for all involved.
The interaction between the two crews further enhanced the already strong ties between Custom’s National Marine Unit and the RAN and also provided important morale boosting and team building activities for both crews.

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