Manoora puts many miles on the clock
Around Australia in long deployment

BARREL OF FUN: Crew members were issued with some tricky tasks during HMAS Manoora’s recent deployment, that included exercises, operations and a successful Unit Readiness Evaluation (URE). Photo: PO Steve Kilburn   GET WET: HMAS Manoora sailors hard at work on the flight deck during damage control exercises as part of the ship’s URE. Photo: PO Steve Kilburn

HMAS Manoora recently returned from a four-month deployment that covered 35,000 miles and included exercises, operations and successful completion of her Unit Readiness Evaluation (URE).

Manoora conducted an anti-clockwise circumnavigation of mainland Australia – with a slight detour to Christmas Island.

After participating in Exercise Talisman Sabre off Townsville, and completing her URE off Darwin, Manoora fulfilled her Op Relex duties and returned via Adelaide, for a much needed R&R visit culminating in a family cruise home to Sydney.

During a visit to Manoora, Maritime Commander RADM Davyd Thomas congratulated the ship on her success in achieving Unit Readiness among a disjointed work-up program that highlighted the versatility of the LPAs.

RADM Thomas also presented MC’s commendations to POMT Jason Dwyer and ABBM Tanya Moore for their outstanding contributions to the ship over the past 12 months.

On the lighter side, Manoora and the Christmas Island locals engaged in a range of sporting activities during the later stages of Op Relex.

In a game of 20/20 cricket, the home-team opened the batting and scored a healthy 116, which was surpassed by Manoora in the 18th over.

The netball team put up a valiant effort, but were beaten 38-14.

The Aussie Rules was a much closer encounter with only three points separating the teams at each break, before Manoora put on a surge in the final quarter to win 6.10 (46) to 4.14 (38).

Unfortunately, the same could not be said about the soccer, where Manoora was soundly beaten 11-0.

But the ship clinched the sporting championship with a 3-0 win over the locals in volleyball.

The crew staged a ship’s concert on September 2, which signalled the beginning of their return home.

ABMT Gill and LSMT Linkenbagh were granted minor accolades for their passionate guitar strumming and intense saxophone playing, while SMNBM Bruhn’s rendition of Holy Grail and LSMT Countouris and ABMT Munday singing the Wakey Wakey Blues were definite crowd pleasers.

One of the highlights of a long deployment was the opportunity for family members to sail the final leg from Adelaide to Sydney.

With 45 guests on board, departure from Adelaide took place on a beautiful spring morning with calm seas. Guests were included in a Steyr shoot and crew members, with their families, defended their honour in a volleyball contest.

Wildlife abounded throughout the voyage, with dozens of whales, dolphins and seals frolicking in the water off the NSW coast.

Guests were also able to view DC training and .50 cal firing. The day was finished off with a steel deck BBQ off Jervis Bay.

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