Navy support ship, HMAS Sirius will visit Hobart this afternoon for a four-day operational port visit.
The ship will arrive in Hobart at approximately 3pm and will berth at Macquarie Wharf.
Commanding Officer of HMAS Sirius Commander Brian Delamont said that he and the ship’s company were sad to hear news of the recent bushfires which affected the Tasmanian community.
“All of us onboard have heard of the devastating bushfires that affected areas of Tasmania recently and in particular the southern areas,” said Commander Delamont.
“We are currently raising money onboard to assist in Tasmanian bush fire relief efforts by running games and trivia events onboard with the total amount raised supplemented by the Ship’s welfare fund.”
Sailors onboard Sirius have also volunteered their time to be part of working parties to help clean up affected areas in the community. “While this is largely an operational visit and we won’t have the opportunity to open the ship for the public this visit, we will be assisting the community where we can as part of the bushfire clean up process,” said Commander Delamont.
This is the first port visit for HMAS Sirius since she left her home port in Fleet Base West on 14 January. After departing Hobart the ship is scheduled to support HMAS Sydney and HMAS Newcastle as they conduct exercises in the waters off the Australian east coast.
HMAS Sirius is one of two underway replenishment ships and provides fuel and stores to ships while they are at sea. This significantly extends the Navy’s operational endurance and reach.
Sirius can replenish ships at sea by day and night, and is capable of replenishing two ships at a time.
HMAS Sirius last visited Hobart in August last year and is scheduled to depart Hobart on Tuesday, 29 January.
The ship’s motto is aptly “to serve, to provide”.
[mappress] Naval Today Staff, January 24, 2013; Image: Australian Navy