Ferocious foe has new hand on her helm

By LSEWASM Matthew Dun

CMDR Peter Scott, left, hands the weight to LCDR Simon Rusiti, right, aboard Dechaineux. Photo: LSEWASM Matthew Dun

Dechaineux, regarded by some as the fleet’s most ferocious foe, farewelled their well-respected and fearless Commanding Officer, CMDR Peter Scott, on September 2, after 18 months at the helm.

CMDR Scott, on handing over command to LCDR Simon Rusiti said, “Knowing something of Dechaineux’s program, you have some adventures ahead of you and knowing something of Dechaineux, I have no doubt you will be up to the challenge.”

“There is a large part of me that wants to stay with you all and do it again, but there’s a large part of LCDR Rusiti that wants me to go, and its time to go,” CMDR Scott said.

LCDR Rusiti completed the Submarine Commanding Officers’ course (Perisher) in 2001 with the Royal Netherlands Navy, along with fellow Australian submariner LCDR Jason Cupples (HMAS Waller).

In front of the ship’s company, CMDR Scott officially handed over the keys to the boat in the Control Room, before departing for further operational duties at the Strategic Operations Centre in Canberra.

LCDR Rusiti thanked CMDR Scott for the opportunity to command ‘the best submarine in the fleet’ and is enthusiastic about what lies ahead for Tiger 76 over the next few months and into next year.
LCDR Rusiti is the fourth CO to command HMAS Dechaineux.

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