Launceston takes long way home

HMAS Launceston sits alongside the West Wall of Garden Island, Sydney, as she travels 7,000nm before returning to Darwin.

Photo: ABPH Yuri Ramsey

“Right Paul, let’s go.”

This was the order, albeit tongue in cheek, from “Captain Bill” Koerber of Narooma to his son LCDR Paul Koerber.

LCDR Koerber is the commanding officer of the patrol boat HMAS Launceston.

It came as Launceston departed the Darwin Naval Base on October 22 on one of her longest patrols.

She expects to travel 7,000 nautical miles before she is back home in Darwin.

Her scheduled course will take her down the eastern Australian coast and on to Launceston in Tasmania.

Not since her 2003 south-west Pacific deployment has she seen so much ocean.

Mr Bill Koerber was a sea-riding guest on the initial leg of the journey.

A popular visitor, he soon was given the name “Captain Bill.”

“Captain Bill” not only watched his son in action but also many of the 24 members of the ship’s company.

As Launceston came east across the Top End she was diverted to do an Operation Cranberry task.

The ship’s company did boardings of three Indonesian fishing boats.

One involved an administrative seizure, the other two were apprehended.

Launceston handed the apprehended Type 3s over to LEUT Belinda Wood and her ship’s company in HMAS Ipswich and continued on to Thursday Island for a brief visit.

Father and son continued south stopping at Mackay where “Captain Bill” disembarked.

He had spent four enjoyable and eventful days on board.

Launceston’s next stop was Fleet Base East on November 2.

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