Two Collins-class submarines have slipped between the Bellarine and Mornington peninsulas into Port Phillip for concurrent port visits in Melbourne and Geelong. 

The submarines, both based at HMAS Stirling in Western Australia, are using their brief windows alongside for logistics resupply and crew respite following intense training off the south-eastern coast.

Deputy Commander of Navy’s Submarine Force Captain Byron Williamson said that while a pair of submarines in Port Phillip was not a common occurrence, their ability to transit coastal and port areas was a normal part of sustaining Australia’s maritime operations and undersea capability.

“Submarines are fundamentally less overt in their operations compared to warships visible on the surface, so to have a pair in Port Phillip is all the more an unusual sight,” Captain Williamson said.

“For the submarine crews, these kinds of visits are thoroughly planned and deliberately and safely conducted. They work with Port Authorities to make use of civilian port facilities, including in busy ports like Melbourne and Geelong.

“These submarines have been undertaking training in the waters off Victoria, New South Wales and Tasmania, including during the Under Sea Warfare [USW] training activity ASWEX 26 [Anti-Submarine Warfare Exercise].

“They have provided multiple surface ships and aircraft with stealthy targets to hunt in simulated USW serials over a vast area for weeks, and now they will undertake logistics resupply and some respite before returning to sea.”

The Royal Australian Navy’s fleet currently includes six Collins-class submarines.