Northern exposure

SUNSET : HMAS Townsville at sunset, heading back to Cairns after a busy seven week patrol period in the northern seas of Australia.

TEAM WORK HMAS Townsville and HMAS Dubbo (in background) conduct manoeuvres after a busy week of patrolling.

By LCDR Ivan Ingham

At the end of March, HMAS Townsville departed its home port at Cairns Naval Base for a seven-week patrol with a difference.

A regular visitor to the Gulf of Carpenteria and the areas east of Darwin for Operation Cranberry, this longer patrol allowed Townsville and the other units participating in Operation Relex II, to move further west.

After apprehending two Type III FFVs in quick succession whilst en-route across the top of the Gulf, Townsville berthed in Darwin where five new members of the Ships company attended formal use of force training and the ship refuelled.

Prior to departing for Ashmore Reef and the Kimberly Coast, four Army Reserve soldiers also embarked to support Townsville in its Op Relex II tasking.

After patrolling north and west, Townsville continued further west to search the waters surrounding Ashmore Reef. Afterwards, the ship anchored in the Ashmore Reef National Nature Reserve to conserve fuel and allow personnel a short respite.

A few days later, after more patrolling, Townsville visited Scott Reef, another
area frequented by vessels involved in illegal activity. Afterwards, the ship’s company were rewarded with another short break for recreational activity.

The anchorage, within the extensive off-shore reef offered great sheltered protection and an abundance of fascinating marine life. While some took the opportunity to snorkel and explore the unusual sand-bar island famed for it huge turtles, others went fishing on the outer part of the reef in search of big-game.

After a busy week of patrolling, preparing for work up and a few stops for fishing, Townsville headed south and was releived by HMAS Dubbo.

A forenoon in company provided a welcome opportunity for both ships to practice light line transfers, officer of the watch manoeuvres and a photo opportunity of both ships from the RHIB. Townsville then regained her southerly course and proceeded to Broome, a first visit for many of her team.

The ships’ visit to Broome allowed the local golf club the opportunity to arrange another annual ashes competition, an event that Broome Golf Club has hosted especially for HMAS Townsville for the past four years.

By the end of the competition, Townsville was declared this year’s champions.

After departing Broome, Townsville remained in the areas to the north and west of the north Australian coast contributing to surveillance for Operation Relex II.

Anzac Day saw Townsville anchored west of Darwin where a large cross section of the ship’s company presented a dawn service for the rest of their shipmates.

Later that morning, the ship berthed alongside in Darwin which allowed the ship’s company to participate in a number of local Anzac Day commemoration events. After three more weeks of patrols, a number of other apprehensions were made.

Townsville then headed back to its base at Cairns for a well earned period of assisted maintenance and leave.

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