Royal Australian Navy's HMAS Kanimbla Refit 2000 Photo Gallery 3.

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Refit Photo Gallery 3:- by Colin Sheehan
This section came about when the opportunity to go aboard HMAS Kanimbla in mid refit came my way in January 2000. This page continues the tour as we burrow our way around below decks, sometimes in near darkness, sometimes amidst the noise of toiling welders, etc.

There are quite a few photo's to be seen here, so please be patient while they load and click on the thumbnails to see larger versions of each image. Enjoy.

This is what the new foredeck overhang looks like from the inside. The quality of workmanship appeared first class wherever I looked. These areas should provide valuable storage space.

Right for'ard we found the anchor cable capstan motor and the beginnings of more storage areas against the bows. The yellow worker's helmet at rear gives some scale to the photo'.

Moving into the centre of the ship to the tank deck, we find the access ramp to the foredeck and it's associated machinery receiving necessary attention.

The tank deck was turned into a huge engineering workshop running the full length of the ship. In the immediate foreground, you will see some of the old ventilation ducting which had been removed. This place was a hive of activity.

Further along, we look down on the tank deck from above as we ascend to the new deck extensions on the stern quarter. At left can be seen the stern turntable which has been lifted out of the deck for cleaning and restoration. The light at the extreme left comes from the stern ramp which will allow amphibious access to the tank deck

Attention to detail is essential when building or refitting a warship of any sort and Forgacs showed that they were up to the job. Here I spied very small welding defect on a ventilation grille which had also attracted the attention of an inspector.

Once more out in the fresh air, we climb down onto the starboard quarter deck extension. These decks will allow convenient working areas when coming alongside as well as clearing some of the machinery from the upper deck.

Right aft on the starboard quarter, we can see evidence of the new stern profile which has been extended at flight deck level and raked down to the waterline. A more practical modification enabling many benefits in this area.

We descended once more into the bowels of the ship to see where the troops will be housed when embarked. Here one of Forgacs boilermakers is cleaning up welds in the troop's mess. Some of the folded cots can be seen in the background.

Whilst it will no doubt be a little more comfortable than it looks here when finished, the mess being built for embarked troops is definitely purposeful if a tad spartan. Just as well Kanimbla is no slouch underway. I would not like to cruise the world from this viewpoint.

She may be quiet and tethered now, but HMAS Kanimbla lies merely dormant. Soon the lines will be slipped and once more the ship and her crew will provide valuable service for the RAN.

My HMAS Kanimbla Home Page	Photo Gallery Day 1	Photo Gallery Day 2	Photo Gallery Day 2 Pt.II	Photo Gallery Day 3	Photo Gallery Day 3 Pt.II	Photo Gallery Day 4
		The Refit Page 1	The Refit Page 2	The Refit Page 3	Short History

This is what the new foredeck overhang looks like from the inside. The quality of workmanship appeared first class wherever I looked. These areas should provide valuable storage space.
	Right for'ard we found the anchor cable capstan motor and the beginnings of more storage areas against the bows. The yellow worker's helmet at rear gives some scale to the photo'.
Moving into the centre of the ship to the tank deck, we find the access ramp to the foredeck and it's associated machinery receiving necessary attention.
	The tank deck was turned into a huge engineering workshop running the full length of the ship. In the immediate foreground, you will see some of the old ventilation ducting which had been removed. This place was a hive of activity.
Further along, we look down on the tank deck from above as we ascend to the new deck extensions on the stern quarter. At left can be seen the stern turntable which has been lifted out of the deck for cleaning and restoration. The light at the extreme left comes from the stern ramp which will allow amphibious access to the tank deck
	Attention to detail is essential when building or refitting a warship of any sort and Forgacs showed that they were up to the job. Here I spied very small welding defect on a ventilation grille which had also attracted the attention of an inspector.
Once more out in the fresh air, we climb down onto the starboard quarter deck extension. These decks will allow convenient working areas when coming alongside as well as clearing some of the machinery from the upper deck.
	Right aft on the starboard quarter, we can see evidence of the new stern profile which has been extended at flight deck level and raked down to the waterline. A more practical modification enabling many benefits in this area.
We descended once more into the bowels of the ship to see where the troops will be housed when embarked. Here one of Forgacs boilermakers is cleaning up welds in the troop's mess. Some of the folded cots can be seen in the background.
	Whilst it will no doubt be a little more comfortable than it looks here when finished, the mess being built for embarked troops is definitely purposeful if a tad spartan. Just as well Kanimbla is no slouch underway. I would not like to cruise the world from this viewpoint.
She may be quiet and tethered now, but HMAS Kanimbla lies merely dormant. Soon the lines will be slipped and once more the ship and her crew will provide valuable service for the RAN.

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