RIMPAC Exercises Keep HMAS Success Busy

HMAS Success has been busy since sailing from Pearl Harbor for the sea phase of RIMPAC, having conducted replenishment operations with Her Majesties Canadian Ship Calgary and United States Ships Lake Champlain, Spruance and Sampson. She has also operated with the Canadian submarine HMCS Victoria.

The Replenishment at Sea (RAS) conducted with Sampson and Lake Champlain was the first dual RAS performed by Success in six years, so her Ship’s Company were keen to demonstrate her capabilities.

The Commanding Officer of HMAS Success, Captain Allison Norris said the Royal Australian Navy’s Auxiliary Oiler Replenishment ship was thriving in the dynamic nature of the exercise.

The dual RAS required full commitment from all personnel with two full RAS teams closed up for the evolution, while helicopter and small boat evolutions were also conducted simultaneously. The ship’s bridge team had to be particularly focused as they closely monitored the movement of both coalition ships as they maintained their replenishment stations to Success.

Success will continue in her key refuelling role at RIMPAC 2014 until the end of July.