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New Dampier site opened
By Gary Booth
Volume 50, No. 16, September 06, 2007 |
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| HANDOVER: CMDR Stu Wheeler, CO HMAS Coonawarra, left, hands over the keys of the Navy Logistic Support Element, Dampier, to CPOB “Jack” Ripper. |
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The new Navy Logistic Support Element, Dampier facility was officially opened on August 21 by Barry Haase, MP, Member for Kalgoorlie, who represented the Minister for Defence.
Other attendees included CDRE Rick Shalders, the Commander Australian Navy Submarine Group, CMDR Stu Wheeler (CO Coonawarra) and a gathering of representatives from local government, the Dampier Port Authority, Chamber of Commerce, WA Police, Customs and the resource industries.
HMAS Broome (Lieutenant Commander Dave Graham, CO Assail 2) was moored at the new cyclone-rated Navy buoy in Hampton Harbour at nearby Dampier.
Mr Haase and the other guests were transferred by Broome’s Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat (RHIB) for a tour of the new Armidale Class patrol boat (ACPB).
In 2004, the Government committed to purchasing two more ACPBs, bringing the class to 14, and to investigate basing them out of Dampier or Port Hedland. Following further investigations, the Government agreed that the additional boats would be based at HMAS Coonawarra increasing the number to 10 Darwin-based ACPBs.
The Port of Dampier was subsequently identified as the preferred location for the provision of logistic and other support to patrol boats forward deployed to the North-West Shelf area of operations.
Following negotiations with the Dampier Port Authority, construction of a multi-stage stairway on the inner end of the Dampier Cargo Wharf should be completed by the end of 2007. The stairway will provide easier access to boats alongside, where large tidal movements often pose difficulties.
Also, a dedicated Navy buoy has been installed in the harbour. This buoy is rated to withstand cyclonic weather and provides an alternative berth when local shipping movements or weather make an alongside berth unusable.
Chief Petty Officer Stewart “Jack” Ripper has been posted as the inaugural Officer-In-Charge of the Navy Logistic Support Element, Dampier. He will manage the facility, which has been constructed adjacent to Taylor Barracks in Karratha, which is home to the Pilbara Regiment.
The Navy Support Element will provide coordination for many Navy activities in the area and afford greater liaison opportunities with local Australian Navy Cadet unit, TS Dampier and the Dampier/Karratha communities.
The Navy Logistic Support Element can also assist Defence Maritime Services in meeting its contracted requirements to conduct any patrol boat maintenance or repair work in Dampier.
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