HMAS Canberra in the Heart of Australia Day Celebrations

Australian Navy’s newly commissioned Landing Helicopter Dock HMAS Canberra took centre stage in Sydney Harbour for the Australia Day celebrations.

The LHD was positioned in the waters between the Opera House and bridge with little room to manoeuvre. Canberra’s Navigator, Lieutenant Commander Calvin Johnson, said the team executed the plan well.

We needed to ensure that our navigation organisation and all the supporting elements such as engineering teams and communicators were working together to ensure everything was conducted safely and professionally.

While the ship is very large, it is extremely manoeuvrable with two Azimuth pods at the stern to propel and steer the ship and a bow thruster at the bow; Canberra can turn on itself in one spot if required.

Canberra hosted the Governor of New South Wales, His Excellency General the Honourable David Hurley for the ‘Salute to Australia’ on the flight deck.

On completion of the official proceedings, the ship moved and secured to a buoy at Point Piper.

Once all Australia Day guests were safely ashore, Canberra departed Sydney Harbour to commence her first of class trials at sea. She will be training and conducting trials in the waters off the east coast of Australia including Jervis Bay for the next few weeks.

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Image: Australian Navy