Westralia’s replacement gets Sirius

Delos undergoing modifications

Volume 49, No. 16 , September 07, 2006

By Michael Brooke

The RAN’s replacement for HMAS Westralia is making “Sirius” progress.

Tenix Defence recently delivered the converted tanker Delos to the RAN at the Australian Marine Complex at Henderson WA – some five weeks ahead of schedule.

Delos will become the naval oiler HMAS Sirius (CMDR Tim Crawford) when she is commissioned on September 16, the same day as HMAS Westralia is decommissioned.

CMDR Crawford told Navy News that half the crew who served on Westralia have been posted to Sirius and everyone is ready for the challenge of getting her on-line on-schedule.
He said Delos has undergone modifications worth $60 million since February 2005 when the project was launched.

The major package required installation design of the Replenishment at Sea (RAS) capability, including RAS Masts, mechanical and electrical equipment and a control centre.

The second major package required a helicopter deck to be designed and integrated onto the stern of the vessel – the first of its kind in the world to be done under classification requirements.

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