Fleet Support Top-Notch up Top
6 Jul 2010
Fleet Support Unit (FSU)- Darwin has received numerous accolades from the Fleet for achieving several impressive milestones including contributing some 530 man-hours to Operation Resolute and other platform taskings.
Lieutenant (LEUT) Wayne Oakley, Officer in Charge (OIC) FSU-Darwin, said the contribution to Operation Resolute is in line with its three core objectives of maintenance, follow on training and personnel support and underpinned by New Generation Navy’s initiatives to enhance the RAN’s culture of “People, Performance and Professionalism.”
“FSU-Darwin is a highly challenging but rewarding posting for any sailor seeking to explore his or her full potential in the RAN and to fast-track completion of their competency logs through hard work and dedication.
“The sailors posted to FSU-Darwin quickly come to enjoy the challenge and rewards of being posted to the ‘Top End’. The weather this time of year makes for a fantastic lifestyle,” he said.
LEUT Oakley stated many sailors who complete their three year posting to FSU-Darwin become so comfortable with the lifestyle unique to the ‘Top End’ that they go on to join the Australian Patrol Boat Group, so they can stay here.
LEUT Oakley said FSU-Darwin has about 45 permanent RAN personnel, who during the past 12-months have contributed a remarkable 530 man-days to Operation Resolute by filling billets on Armidale Class Patrol Boats and other platforms based at HMAS Coonawarra.
“We have found with the current manning situation that our sailors can be called on at any moment to fill a vacant billet on a platform and go to sea in support of Operation Resolute ,” he said.
“And even though FSU-Darwin is seen as shore respite, our sailors are more than happy to support such an important homeland security operation as Operation Resolute .”
LEUT Oakley said FSU-Darwin’s 530 man-hours for Operation Resolute are second only to the Australian Patrol Boat Group, which has 21 crews to operate 14 Armidale Class Patrol Boats (ACPB)s.
He said FSU-Darwin’s commitment to support Operation Resolute was not only achieved by senior sailor ETs and MTs, but also new sailors who jumped at the chance to advance their skills and complete competencies while at sea in an ACPB.
“The ACPBs have a number of training bunks so young trainees who post into FSU-Darwin can find themselves with the opportunity to participating in Operation Resolute, and the many other taskings that these platforms undertake.
“In consultation with career management people here and in Canberra, we can send a sailor to an ACPB or other Coonawarra based platforms, where he or she can gain invaluable experience while enjoying the camaraderie of serving in a small boat.
“In regards to our maintenance activities we have had quite a few good wins which have earned us accolades from the Fleet about the quantity and quality of the work we have done,” he said.
FSU-Darwin is also responsible for the syncrolift at Coonawarra.
The docking and undocking process for a vessel can be a challenging exercise, and when these events occur, the FSU-Darwin team work together to ensure a successful lift.
Due to the extreme tidal ranges experienced in Darwin, these lifts can take place at any time, day or night so our sailors soon learn that life in the RAN is certainly not a 9 to 5 job.
While most of the maintenance for the ACPB is contracted out to Defence Maritime Systems (DMS), FSU-Darwin personnel work closely with them to conduct mainly organic engineering and plant maintenance.
LEUT Oakley said there is no shortage of challenges and opportunities for sailors at FSU-Darwin’s Survival Equipment Workshop, Engineering Workshop, Electrical Workshop, Fabrication and Hull Workshop, and High Power Workshop.
Seaman Electronics Technician (SMNET) Brad Ireland has been posted to the Electronics Workshop for only eight months, during which time he has completed 80 per cent of his competency task journal competencies for Certificate III while also gaining invaluable experience in ACPBs assigned to Operation Resolute and Landing Ships (LCHs) that regularly travel between Darwin and Dili, Timor-Leste, assisting with the transport of stores and equipment.
“All up I’ve done about two months on ACPBs and one month on an LCH, but the ACPBs are my preference at this stage,” he said.
“It seems logical that after completing my Certificate III that I would want to do more time in ACPBs, because of the challenges and rewards of being able to fast-track my learning and experience in a boat as part of a tight-knit crew.”
Seaman Marine Technician (SMNMT) Jaydin Farrar, 18, said the challenge and opportunities provided by the Fabrication and Hull Workshop have enabled him to knock off some key log competencies necessary for Cert III Maintenance Fitter and promotion to Able Seaman (ABMT), which will prepare him for a sea posting.
“I haven’t got to sea yet but this is a real opportunity for me while I am posted to FSU-Darwin which shares the maintenance of the ACPBs with DMS,” he said.
SMNMT Joel Tweedy said he has been posted to FSU-Darwin for only six weeks, where he is really enjoying the posting because of the support of his mentors and trainers.
“I’m making great progress with my log competencies which will position me for some sea time in an ACPB in the near future, which will mark a real learning curve for me,” he said.
