1 - 2005

South Australia Division Newsletter

FROM THE SECRETARY'S DESK.
1. STATE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. The 2004 AGM saw one change to the Executive, that being the election of an additional member, Lieutenant Commander Dean Watson, RFD, RANR Retired. Dean started his nautical career by joining the Sea Cadets at TS ADELAIDE in the days when NLA was very involved with same, and then joined the Naval Reserve. His RANR career of over 40 years also included some fulltime RAN service in HMAS DIAMANTINA. His part-time career (as his employer thought) was with HM CUSTOMS.
2. NEW SA SENIOR OFFICER CADETS. . The recently appointed SO ANC, Robin Sklrrey, has now been promoted to Commander ANC. He has been joined in the Headquarters by a new deputy, newly promoted Lieutenant Commander Burnie Fairhurst ANC. LCDR Ernie Simpson ANC has now moved on to national ANC HQ.
3. ANC Unit Inspections. As previously advised, changed circumstances have permitted inspections of both the SA and NT cadet units. Consequently, the SA Division Navy League Efficiency Shield was awarded in 2004 to TS WHY ALLA. The unit is located on the upper west coast of Spencer Gulf and it was prudent of the SO-ANC to take an opportunity to present the Shield in October on the League's behalf. Our President has since sent a congratulatory letter and contribution to their unit fund.
4. MEMBERSHIP. As with all organisations our membership has reduced over the years, although it has been fairly constant in SA the last few. New members would be most welcome and we would encourage all of you to invite others to perhaps view your magazine copies. Maybe it might enthuse them to join up, or at least buy the mag?
AUSTRALIAN NAVAL CADETS NEWS
NLA-SA President, together with Executive member Dean Watson, attended the ANC presentation ceremony held on Sunday 28 November at TS Adelaide Birkenhead premises after the SA units held their sailing regatta weekend. SNO-SA Commander Anne Atkinson ADC RAN inspected the attendee cadets and gave out the sailing prizes. For those in the know, it was no surprise to see TS Flinders and TS Adelaide feature well. SO-ANC Commander Robin Skirrey ANC then affirmed the previously announced winner of the most efficient unit in SAINT, that being TS WHY ALLA, and that he had presented the Navy League Shield to them in October. He then acknowledged the nominees from each unit for top cadet of2004, and then announced the winner as ANC CPO Mark Weeden from TS NOARLUNGA. Obviously father LEUT Eddy Weeden ANC (CO ofTS Noarlunga) was very proud. Navy League SA Division sponsored small book awards to each of the cadet nominees, whilst the Naval Association continued their tradition of awarding a trip on One and All to the Cadet of the Year: SOUTH AUSTRALIAN STATE EXECUTIVE POLICY AND AIM.
The State Executive maintains as it's prime focus the League's main objective of promoting Australia's maritime defence and industry. We aim to promote and support NAVY wherever possible and lobby relevant politicians and others to encourage the provision of necessary means with which NAVY can achieve set objectives in maintaining the defence of the country. The League is vitally interested in the capabilities of NAVY and all procurement programmes. We maintain as our supplementary aim the important continued support of our local ANC and youth sea training.
FEDERAL COUNCIL CONFERENCE AND ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
Federal President continues to be very active for us and now forwards a quarterly report to Divisions for which we sincerely thank him. Items of interest he pursued included ANC inspections (Director of ANC Operations). information re Defence Capability Review and Terrorism at Sea (via Geoffrey Evans). Heritage Centres and Museums. and International Sea Cadet Exchange - an ANC officer to go to Canada. I represented South Australia at the 2004 Federal Council Meeting/Navy League of Australia AGM held 15/16 October 2004 in Canberra ACT. On Friday 15th the Council attended a Chief of Navy Staff Briefing at the Australian Defence College conducted by CN's Navy Office senior officers. The most informative briefing (of some 3 1/2 hours) was as usual based upon Navy's updated long range and strategic plan as part of an integrated AOF. The main thrust continues to be the necessary changes regarding replacement platforms and particularly personnel recruitment and retention. Subject areas outlined by the team included Maritime Command update [CDRE Allan Du Toit. Director General Navy Capability Performance and Plans]. Maritime Development [CAPT Vin Thompson, rep. for Director Genera1 Maritime Development}, Personnel and Training update (CAPT Steve Davies. rep. for Director General Navy Personnel and Training} and then fo110wed by an open forum. Another exce11ent in depth briefs with plenty of opportunity for open discussion. Delegates then met for working dinner of Federal Council Meeting and AGM at THE BRASSEY HOTEL which again carried over as usual to Saturday 16th at HMAS HARMAN.
The AGM passed the agenda items as notified (2003 Minutes. President's report. Office Bearers with no changes). State Divisional Reports generally had the same main thrust and agree that Navy League is now primarily a lobby organisation with a main overall action objective as support to Navy. Youth sea training and ANC support continues as appropriate. The significance of 200th anniversary of Trafalgar in 2005 was discussed and NLA will try and get an English Oak tree planted by the PM in Canberra. CN supported any activity (via his written advice) and a11 stages should try and get activities up and running. On Saturday CN (Vice Admiral Chris Ritchie) attended and gave a personal brief presentation after which it was open and very frank question time. Federal Council then lunched with CN at HMAS HARMAN ~ Wardroom before final discussions and then concluding the conference with the annual dinner with guests at Brassey Hotel that night.
APPRECIATION
I thank Her Excellency. Marjorie Jackson-Nelson. AC CVO MBE. Governor of South Australia. for her continued patronage of our State Division. I also wish to thank the other State Executive members for their continuing voluntary efforts. assistance at socia1 and official events and general untiring support over the year.
Alan Preskett, Commander. RFD**. RANR President NLA-SA October 2004

D-DAY OBSERVATIONS 6TH JUNE 2004
Sixty years ago in June, 1944, the world awoke to learn that the long-awaited and much anticipated Allied invasion to free Europe from the scourge of Hitler & the Nazis had begun. In Normandy, on the Sixtieth Anniversary, Sunday 6th June, 2004, the Allies re-enacted this awesome yet welcoming historical invasion. British, Australian, American, French and other world leaders welcome the German Chancellor for the very first time. Cities and towns across Australia held special church services to give thanks and remember those comrades who gave their lives, those who were wounded and those who survived - all with an incredible story to tell. At an impressive church service held at the Christ Church in North Adelaide to commemorate this Anniversary, I met five such people who certainly had vivid memories of that fateful day. Ron Marsh, Signaller 79th Armoured division, British Army, told me that the 24 hour delay on 5th June was due to bad weather. Just waiting on board the ships to take them the 100 miles across the English Channel, was the worst part. Once the order came, everything happened so fast, that no-one had time to think, before finding themselves in the thick of the action. John Murray of Scottish 4th Commandos (Lord Lovat's group) who still proudly wears his kilt and medals, is a quiet and unassuming man but with deep and lasting memories of his part on D-Day. I also met a Monsieur Georges Piron who remembers D-Day as a 9 year old living in Paris. He said even as a child, the relief that he and his family felt on the day the invasion had started was enormous. He cried. Monsieur Piron also told me that when he sees an artichoke today "as a special" on a menu, he laughs and says that is what they lived on in Paris, as they had no meat. Our friend from the Naval Association in Adelaide, Ron Jacobs, was a Royal Navy stoker aboard H.M.S.TOWY. She was engaged in chasing German submarines in the Atlantic towards Iceland. When the Commanding Officer broke the news of D-Day, Ron could hardly believe this long anticipated invasion was actually happening and they all cheered with relief that there was action at last. Ernie Quigley, who celebrated his 20th birthday at Normandy, was a Gunner in the Royal Navy. Like many sailors, he was transferred to Merchant Shipping and served aboard the "Empire Nicholas". His vivid memories of his part on D-Day, were sailing in convoy across the English Channel to a point roughly a quarter of a mile off the Normandy beaches. It was here that 24 merchant ships were sunk as the base for blocks of cement, five feet high, to be placed on of the sunken vessels, to form the "The Mulberry Harbour". "The Mulberries" (as they were known), were employed as temporary safe haven for landing of men and supplies and protection from the incoming sea. A brief insight only I to just a handful of D-Day stories. However, it is indicative of the loyalty, courage and comradeship that the Allies showed in liberating Europe from the clutches of Adolf Hitler during World II, and the debt we owe those who risked their lives for our freedom. In 2004 there are still conflicts around the world and whilst peace seems as elusive as ever, it is up to our generations to ensure we keep that hard-won peace. Lest we forget. Diana Hill, Committee Member, Navy League (SA Branch)

NAVY LEAGUE AND THE NAVAL CADETS
The Executive would like whenever possible to attend the various ANC important events if known. One such occasion was the annual inspection parade ofTS Adelaide at Birkenhead in September. Dean Watson (who lives locally) viewed this event on our behalf and reported as follows: "The inspecting officer, CMDR A Atkinson ADC RAN, SNO-SA was accompanied by the newly promoted CMDR R Skirrey ANC, SOANC-SA and WO J Dettmann OAM RANR, Cadet Liaison Officer NHQSA. Other guests included Mr H Doyle, President of Port Adelaide Sub Branch Naval Association, Mr J Young, HMAS BAT AAN Association (a former CO of TS Flinders) and SUPT B Young, Local Area Commander Port Adelaide, SA Police. Unit CO is LEUT T Donovan ANC. Fifteen of the unit's 16 cadets were on parade. Following Colours, SNO-SA arrived for the formal inspection and march past. Apart from the formal parade ground drill, the remainder of the inspection was conducted in a quiet relaxed manner (probably a little different to former days). Two evolutions were then assessed. Firstly, two teams were required to move identical boat trailers, jack them up, change wheels over and return the trailers to the start position. This competitive. task is loosely based upon the traditional naval gun races performed at military tattoos. Secondly, rigging a Corsair dinghy for sailing was carried out. In lieu of closing parade, SNO-SA spoke to the cadets as a group and all then adjourned to a supper."

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National Air Support, a division of National Jet Systems, which is owned by British aerospace group Cobham, has operated Australia's aerial Coastwatch surveillance for the past nine years. Will Federal Customs renew this contract in September? Do you have any thoughts on the reliance on a foreign owned operator for such a task? A.P.

2-04
S.A. Division Newsletter

From the President.
The second half of the year is upon us and so much is happening around the world, especially involving our defence force. I am sure that you will all agree with our Executive and strongly support all our men and women particularly serving in the Middle East and trust that they may soon return to our shores safe and well. Our Executive Committee Dinner will again be held in August to celebrate and discuss the year's activities with guest of honour, the new Senior Naval Officer - South Australia, Commander Anne Atkinson ADC RAN. I hope you can join us and meet CMDR Atkinson. Your League continues to promote Navy and other things maritime via our Federal Executive and Advisory Council. Our Federal President is particularly active and reports to Divisions on a quarterly basis. Significantly, he represented the League at the launch of NUSHIP PERTH, the last of the TENEX produced ANZAC ships programme. This issue has a few items from our Executive members, plus our Secretary's Diary Notes, but we would love' to hear from the general membership. Anything to say?
Alan Preskett

1-04 -
WELCOME TO THE FIRST EDITION OF OUR NEW HALFYEARLY MEMBER NEWSLETTER.

With the need to keep costs down, your State Executive (as Editor) will communicate via this medium. Some content will be personal views, not necessarily in line with League Policy, to stimulate feedback. We encourage your participation via GPO Box 1529, Adelaide SA 5001.

STATE PRESIDENT'S REPORT FOR YEAR 2002-2003
I am pleased to be able to present the following Annual Report of The Navy League South Australian Division to our SA/NT membership.
STATE EXECUTIVE
The Executive held five meetings and an AGM over the year and the Committee remains unchanged with President and Secretary as our delegates to Federal Council.
2002/2003 Executive: CMDR Alan Preskett RFD** RANR Rtd - PRESIDENT/FEDERAL COUNCILLOR, Miss Jean Gill - SECRETARY/FEDERAL COUNCILLOR, Miss Diana Hill, Mr Colin Orr, Mr Ian Anderson, Mr Michael Garrett TREASURER.
MEMBERSHIP
SA/NT membership remains somewhat small compared to many years ago and is of concern to this Division as it is Australia-wide. The list includes a few who remain . unfinancial and we would encourage their return to full status to continue their enjoyment of our magnificent quarterly publication, assist our cadets and pursue our major objectives.
The League is a national body and therefore annual financial details are included in Federal returns. I would remind all members that your local Division receives only 38% of your $25.00 subscription, then 28% to cover Federal matters on our overall behalf, 24% to magazine costs and 10% GST. Hence any activity we undertake is self-funding and your support is essential to ensure any success, particularly to help our cadets.
NAVY LEAGUE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
Your State President, as Federal Councillor, attended the Annual Federal Council and General Meetings of the League in Canberra on your behalf, A report of that event is included in the State President's Annual Report.
COMMUNICATION
Two 'newsletters were issued to members/organisations during the year and this will now be our local communication policy as a supplement to the main medium of our national magazine "The Navy".
SOCIAL ACTIVITIES.
The first of three social events arranged was the enjoyable 2002 Annual Dinner to introduce local Senior Naval Officer, Commander John Parkin RAN and his wife to members, and be a fundraiser for our local Naval Cadets' Fund. The small group enjoyed the food, NM&A Club ambience and presentations. The second was less formal to present a Port Decanter to NUSHIP RANKIN, last of the Collins class submarines. Rankin's full wardroom complement joined our committee and a few members [including a pleasant visit by past President Don Schrapel and wife Molly] for a great and lengthy evening in the Strathmore Hotel Balcony.
The 2003 Executive Committee Dinner had the Honourable Alexander Downer MP and Mrs Downer as our guests. This was a small members only event to take advantage of informal discussions with the Minister of Foreign Affairs and his wife, both of whom have exceedingly busy schedules. The Minister came directly from his Canberra/Adelaide flight after a hectic day in the' House to enjoy the excellent service, food and ambience of the Naval, Military and Air Force Club of SA. It was certainly most opportune to hear directly from the Federal Minister a very current update of the situation Australia finds itself in within the local region. A most interesting evening for those present and a significant night for the League.
NAVAL CADETS
Last December, The Navy League of Australia South Australian Division Efficiency Shield was 'presented to the 2002 winning Cadet Unit, TS STURT, from Renmark by MAJGEN Low Choy, Director General of Defence Cadets. I then presented a cheque. One thing they all appreciated was publishing details of this award in the national magazine "The Navy". SA Division maintains a close liaison with ANC local headquarters and continues to support Cadets in any practical or financial way within our local limitations.
SHIP VISITS
Some 8 ships visited Adelaide during the period and a few committee representatives and members were able to attend the various open days/ship's socials.
NAVY LEAGUE REPRESENTATION
The League's presence in South Australia continues to be well recognised by relevant state and local authorities, local Navy and other organisations including a beneficial membership within the Joint Commonwealth Societies' Council. Our public image was maintained with League State Executive Committee representation at these 8 official events: RSL Remembrance Day Service, Commonwealth Day Vice Regal Reception, Vice Regal Patronage Government House Garden Party, RSL Anzac Day Services, Coral Sea Memorial Service, Navy Week Memorial Gardens Service, Navy Week Church Service and the most important Australian Naval Cadets' Annual Trophies Presentations.
FEDERAL COUNCIL CONFERENCE AND ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
I attended these 2003 meetings in Canberra and they were again most productive regarding Divisiona1 and Federal information exchange, plus briefings by and confidential discussions with Chief of Navy and his senior staff. These will all help plan our possible future actions to achieve our objectives as per our policy statement.
STATE EXECUTIVE AIM
The State Executive maintains as it's prime focus the League's major objective TO KEEP BEFORE THE AUSTRALIAN PEOPLE THE FACT THAT WE ARE A MARITIME NATION AND THAT A STRONF NAVY AND A SOUND MARITIME INDUSTRY ARE INDESPENSABLE ELEMENTS OF OUR NATIONAL WELL BEING AND VITAL TO THE FREEDOM OF AUSTRALIA]. Hence local activities now pursue this aim and members are encouraged to contribute on this subject in response to material distributed via THE NAVY or local Newsletter. To assist in this aspect, the Executive is associated with the following organisations (either as individual members or a corporate Division): Australian Naval Institute, United States Naval Institute, Australian Centre for Maritime Studies Digest and RAN Supply/Logistics Division.
APPRECIATION
I thank Her Excellency, Marjorie Jackson-Nelson, AC CVO MBE, Governor of South Australia, for her continued patronage of our State Division.
I also wish to thank the other State Executive members for their continuing voluntary efforts, assistance at socials, and general support over the year.
Alan Preskett
Commander, RFD**, RANR (Rtd)
President NLA-SA

INCREASED PERSONNEL NUMBERS
It was recently reported in the press that the number of federal public servants had been increased by 6:6%. The departments included Defence, Customs, Protective Service, Office of National Assessment, Crimtrac Agency, ATO and Centre link. Fantastic that we have money available for more civilians, BUT NONE FOR UNIFORMED DEFENCE PERSONNEL. Yet we expect those NAVY, ARMY and AIRFORCE personnel to do more with less at home or overseas at the drop of a political whim. (Alan Preskett)

NAVY LEAGUE NEWSLETTER
The Australian response to piracy and illegal foreign fishing in areas of influence by Australia.
It has been noted that a number of new patrol boats have been named and these are considered to be bigger, faster and more capable than the previous Mediterranean class. The new Armidale class patrol boats will be named after Australian cities and towns which have forged close links with the RAN - Armidale, Bathurst, Bundaberg, Albany, Pirie, Maitland, Ararat, Launceston, Larrakia, Wollongong, Childers and Broome. This is on the recommendation of the Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Chris Ritchie. The Government took a decision last year by announcing that the new class of patrol boats were to be thus named to coincide with the 60th commemoration of the tragic loss of HMAS Armidale in 1942. Armidale (1) was a Bathurst class corvette with a crew of 149. Her initial service was in convoy protection. She was sunk by enemy action on 1 December 1942 during operations off Betano on the south coast of Timor. There were only 49 survivors and it is reported only 5 are alive today. These vessels will be built by Austal Ships in Fremantle, WA.
It is to be hoped that the use of these vessels may reduce the incidence of piracy which seems to be enjoying an upsurge in the area of the Malacca Straits, Sumatra. Piracy appears to be spreading in adjacent regions with a Malaysian registered tanker, Pen rider, carrying 1000 tonnes of fuel oil, attacked 12 nautical miles from Port Klang, Malaysia en route from Singapore to Penang. When boarded by 14 pirates with automatic weapons, forcing the ship to sail into Indonesian waters, robbing the crew and taking the master, chief engineer and a crewman hostage, leaving the ship to continue its passage. After protracted ransom negotiations, the hostages were returned unharmed. It has been said that the pirates were Aceh soldiers who are also thought to be responsible for many other attacks in the Straits. Several other vunerable vessels such as a gas tanker and chemical tankers have been targeted by heavily armed pirate gangs in recent attacks and in its latest quarterly piracy report, the IMB reported that number of piracy attacks on shipping throughout the world reached a record of 344 in the first 9 months of 2003; the Indonesian waters remaining the most dangerous.
It is obvious that the threat to human life and potential environment damage in Australia's immediate region should be taken seriously by the Australian government and either dealt with by our Navy in conjunction with other navies of the region or similar action be taken by shipping owners in the area introducing heavily armed guards on board vessels traversing the region.
South Australia isn't entirely separated from some illegal activities as has recently been noted by the long distance chase of a Uruguyan flagged vessel, Viarsa 1, which had been Patagonian tooth fishing within Australia's exclusive economic zone surrounding the Heard Island and McDonald Island territories. Four senior crew members, the skipper and three Spanish nationals and a man from Chile who had been identified as a crew member from a previous vessel apprehended in the Australian fishing zone, have been charged with offences of the Fisheries Management Act 1991.
Australia and France have signed an agreement on maritime co-operation paving the way for tougher action against illegal fishing operations in the Southern Ocean. This treaty establishes a framework for co-operative surveillance between the two countries in their respective territorial seas. Also under this treaty both countries have agreed to exchange information on the location, movements and licensing of fishing vessels and will work more closely together to fight illegal fishing. It is interesting to note that the French appear to be more aggressive in their prosecution of illegal fishing: when they instruct the crew to leave the vessel, when they have, they stand off and sink it. Perhaps we could be a little more aggressive in our tactics. Ian Anderson

NAVY LEAGUE OF AUSTRALIA WORLD WIDE WEB PAGE .
For those members online, our web page is located at www.netspace.net.au/~ navyleag (refer top left corner of our magazine cover) and this newsletter and other NLA national information is regularly updated there by Victoria Division. SENIOR NAVAL OFFICER SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Commander John Parkin, RAN steps down from the SNO-SA post as from 23 January 2004 and will be relieved by Commander Anne Atkinson, RAN. Commander Atkinson initially joined the RAN as a Nursing Officer [but specialised in underwater medicine}, left to do extensive midwifery training in UK) then rejoined RAN as a Staff Officer in many significant postings in Sydney, Canberra and the UK.
NAVY LEAGUE ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTIONS
Your Federal Council has decided to increase the annual subscription to $30.00 from 2004 with the net increase being used to offset increased costs of our excellent magazine.
FORTHCOMING SPECIAL INTEREST NATIONAL EVENTS

• PACIFIC 2004 INTERNATIONAL MARITIME AND NAVAL EXPOSITION including THE INTERNATIONAL MARITIME INDUSTRY EXHIBITION
  THE ROYAL AUSTRALIAN NAVY SEA POWER CONFERENCE
  THE INTERNATIONAL MARITIME CONFERENCE
  THE INTERNATIONAL TRANSPORT, FREIGHT AND INFRASTRUCTURE CONFERENCE

These significant showcase events are scheduled to be held at the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre, Darling Harbour, from Tuesday 3 February to Friday 6 February, 2004. For more details contact Pacific 2004 International Maritime and Naval Exposition, PO Box 4095, GEELONG VIC 3220 or view www.pacific2004.com.au
NATIONAL NAVAL REUNION 2004 -
a Celebration of Naval Service A national committee has been formed and tasked to plan and implement a National Naval Reunion 1st to 8th AUGUST 2004 in SYDNEY to allow former arid serving RAN members to enjoy social, sporting and other recreational activities with their comrades and members of Allied Navies with whom the RAN has special bonds. Chief of Navy is Patron and the Prime Minister has advised of his support for this event. For more details contact The NNR2004 Committee, PO Box i26,FIVE DOCK NSW 2046 or view www.nationalnavalreunion2004.org.au
SOUTH AUSTRALIAN EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
At our local AGM in December the existing Executive was re-elected. With the change of the Federal Council Conference and AGM to be now held in October) the SA Executive now meets in February, April, June) August, September (including AGM) and December. Please contact the Secretary in the preceding month if you wish to raise any matter for discussion or submission to Federal Council.
"THE NAVY" MAGAZINE
Our Editorial staff produce an excellent professional magazine covering many subjects that fall within our overall objectives. Whilst they do not wish to change the content into a members social column or similar, special interest articles or comment or letters to the editor will always be considered and are in fact sought. How about our thoughts? If only local, why not utilise this newsletter?
DIVISIONAL SECRETARY'S LOCAL REMINDERS
The last magazine issue noted that back issues are available from NSW Division (who control the magazine). However we do hold lots of back issues here, as well as the complete index from 1920-2003 recently compiled by Vic.Pres. John Wilkins.

SOUTH AUSTRALIAN FIRSTS -
South Australia is renowned for its 'FIRSTS';
· the first Police Force in Australia,
· first real Formula One Grand Prix Car Race,
· first Tour Down Under Bike Race, and probably many more firsts too.
Of special interest to Navy League members is that South Australia had the first Navy Ship in Australia - HMCS PROTECTOR. South Australia built the first Collins Class Submarine, HMAS COLLINS, and followed this with another five. The Commissioning of HMAS COLLINS took place at The Australian Submarine Corporation at Osborne in late July 1996.
HMCS PROTECTOR is pictured below along with a photo of the next HMAS PROTECTOR and her details. This information was extracted from the article by John Mortimer which appeared In the October-December 1991 edition of 'The Navy'. J.Gill.

PRINCIPAL DETAILS OF HMAS PROTECTOR
Displacement: 670 tonnes
Length Overall: 42.7 metres .
Beam: 9.5 metres
Draught: 3.0 metres
Speed: 10.5 knots .
Main Engines: 2 x Detroit 12V92TA . BHP: 450 at 1800 RPM. Generators: 2 x 125 KVA
Complement: 4 Officers 13 crew plus 3 submersible crew.
Constructed by: Elder Prince (now Stirling Marine Services)
Year of Build: 1984
Purchased: 18 October 1990
Helicopter Capacity: Helicopter Deck and Refuelling facilities.
Other Equipment: Hiab Sea Crane, 13T "A" Frame, Skipper Sonar, Lips Dynamic positioning 4 x 24/255, Mini-Thrusters, HF, VHF and UHF Communications Equipment, Klein Sidescan Sonar, Magnavox Sat Nav, Skipper RDF, Sperry Sat Corns, Diving air compressors & recompression chamber space.
(6 Feb 2004)

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