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Briefs
Cyclones test ships
Working in tandem
The
crews of HMAS Mermaid (LCDR Mike Pounder) and HMAS Paluma LCDR Mick
Rigby) have been hard at work during survey operations in the Torres
Straits.
In early February, Paluma attempted to establish a tide gauge at
Turu Cay, 70nm NW of Thursday Island when tropical Cyclone Harvey
was developing to the south.
Meanwhile, Mermaid was tackling similar adverse weather conditions
head on, at Rennel Island, 80nm NE of Thursday Island.
Thankfully for Mermaid, the reef systems dampened the sea conditions,
but the extreme tidal streams and wind provided exciting conditions
for the installation of tide poles and gauges on both Rennel and
Gabba Islands.
Mermaid then sailed in company with Paluma for a port visit to Weipa
before returning for sounding work to the east of Warrior Reef.
Ceremony
reunites
Nashos
recognised
Former
National Service personnel were recognised at a Remembrance Memorial
ceremony held at the Martin Place Cenotaph in Sydney on February
13.
The National Service Scheme initially operated from 1951-1959 and
involved more than 227,000 young Australians on a full time or part
time engagement. It also included RAN personnel.
From 1965- 1972 some 63,000 National Servicemen gave 18-24 months
of full time service. More than 30,000 chose to serve in the Citizens
Military Force (CMF). Many Nashos served overseas in international
conflicts during the 1960’s.
Happy birthday
Hawkesbury
turns five
The
minehunter HMAS Hawkesbury is now five years old. On Friday, February
11, Commanding Officer, LCDR David Wright and his ships’ company,
mustered on the sweep-deck to enjoy a slice of cake and a celebratory
drink to toast Hawkesbury on her fifth birthday, the next day.
The CO revelled in detailing the long and proud history of both
ships to hold the illustrious name HMAS Hawkesbury. Derived from
the Italian GAETA class Mine Hunter Coastal (MHC), the current Australian
River Class Hawkesbury was built by ADI in Newcastle and launched
April 24, 1998. She was commissioned into the fleet on February
12, 2000.
On her fifth birthday she had completed a total of 10,261 hours
underway with more than 86,500 miles steamed.
Closer
alignment
Engineering
standard
In
a clear example of the closer alignment of engineering standards
across Defence, a joint organisation, headed up by an RAAF officer,
has become the first to gain a full Certificate of Accreditation
as an Authorised Engineering Organisation under the Navy Technical
Regulatory System.
The Chief Naval Engineer, CDRE Tim Barter, recently presented the
Director of Ordnance Safety, GPCAPT Lyndon Tilbrook with the certificate.
As a unit within Joint Logistics Command, the Directorate of Ordnance
Safety or DOS) undertakes assessments of the safety and suitability
for Service of explosive ordnance (EO), procured for use by all
three Services.
You can read more about DOS at: http://intranet.defence.gov.au/vcdfWeb/Sites/DOS/
or http://www.defence.gov.au/dmo/jlc/osg/osg.cfm.
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