Day Three: Pacific Ocean Exercises.
| First thing this morning, we explore the engine room deep
in the bowels of this ship, my son Tony (at right) and one of his friends
give scale to one of the six V16 diesel engines that provide the grunt
for HMAS Kanimbla. By the way, this is one VERY noisy place, hence the
extreme earmuffs. |
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Stokers (Marine Technical, Propulsion) at work in the engine
room. My last experience in an engine room was in the aircraft carrier
HMAS Melbourne in the 1960's. At that time the thought of a woman as a
functioning stoker would have been met with stares of disbelief and laughter.
Today they do so with skill and equality. Beautiful. |
| Again, my memory of engine controls are vastly different to this sight.
The many gauges on the board here are a far cry from the complex array
of valves, pipes and wheels, etc., that were found in the boiler room of
the Melbourne which was, of course, driven by steam turbines. |
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Here I show the size of one of the big V8 generators which supply the
necessary power for the ship.
I did sneak one of the earmuffs off to see just how noisy it was in
the engine room and immediately replaced it as the roar threatened to addle
what little brains I have left. |
| Our first sight of HMAS Success, the fleet oiler, with Hobart to it's
starboard side off the coast of NSW. |
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The day's exercises begin as Success crosses our bows. The huge bow
ramp gantry surely makes for an unusual viewpoint when looking for'ard.
It would have been a magnificent viewing platform for those with a head
for heights, but alas, it was a no-go area. |
| Ships of the armed forces all have powerful radio communications capabilities.
Some evidence of this is seen in the form of warning signs at the base
of the large radio transmitter masts which bristle around the ship. A red
circle of about 15 feet radius is drawn on the deck around the base
of each mast. This is also a no-go area when the ship is transmitting (Radiating). |
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Success and Hobart are here performing the jackstay transfer of the
heavy fuel lines between the two vessels as part of the first of many exercises
for each relevant officer onboard to take control of the operation. An
impressive example of teamwork when seen from up close. The weather was
kind enough to provide perfect conditions, although it is still carried
out in bad weather when needed.. |
| When the RAS is completed & all lines retrieved, Hobart breaks
away in a fast high power turn to the stirring strains of Wagner's "Flight
of the Valkaries" blaring from her external PA speakers. These things can
sure move quickly when required! |
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Our turn to come alongside Success. As we slide up the starboard side
of this Australian built ship, it's real size becomes apparent. Small by
some standards, but still big enough when approaching this close. |
| As we come alongside, Hobart again makes a rapid approach to port of
Success. Success's quarterdeck can be seen underneath the flight deck at
the stern. A beautiful place to be on a hot day at sea. |
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Messy-looking it may be, but this illustrates the precision of a multiple
RAS. The funnel with the red 'roo on it belongs to Hobart, whilst the superstructure
with all the windows is the RAS control room of Success. PLUS I am not
using a telephoto lens! Real reach out & touch 'em stuff! We passed
fishing vessels like this. They must have thought we were mad. |
| At the finish of the exercise, we drop astern and enjoy a good view
of the other two ships in position. |
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Just before lunch we made another pass alongside Success. This
photo' shows the lines of the French Durance class design which was
the base for our new replenishment ship. |
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