HMAS Ararat heads home

2 April 2010

After departing Rabaul, HMAS Ararat proceeded South towards the Queensland Peninsula, and then West through the reef and Prince of Wales Channel and on to Darwin.

Conditions were fairly benign to begin with; however, the impending tropical cyclone in the Gulf of Carpentaria put all members of the crew on high alert for the home stretch.

The navigationally constrained waters of Torres Strait proved an interesting exercise for the Officers of the Watch, and kept all ‘watch on deck’ personnel on their toes.

Once clear of the Strait, conditions began to worsen as they had between Palau and Pohnpei, due to the tropical depressions off Darwin and Cairns. Yesterday, Ararat had an external hatch to the fore peak open without warning; external fittings pulled clear off the superstructure and other secured items simply disappeared into the sea. Wet, homesick, but not frightened yet.

All of the crew is looking forward to returning to Darwin to see family and loved ones for the Easter weekend, and having a couple of days to relax before we sail again.