HMAS Toowoomba stars in Australian Pirate Patrol show
05 October 2010
The challenges and achievements of a RAN warship deploying to Operation Slipper will be revealed to 300 million people around the world, when a four-part documentary entitled ‘Australian Pirate Patrol’ premieres on the National Geographic Channel at 8:30pm on October 18.
The documentary follows HMAS Toowoomba’s two-month Unit Readiness and Military Readiness Evaluations (URE/MRE) and six-month deployment to Op Slipper, where her crew of 193 men and women carried the fight to pirates operating in shipping lanes in the Gulf.
The four-part series was produced by Prospero Productions – the same company that made the ‘Navy Diver’ documentary series in 2009. It was launched on HMAS Ballarat at Fleet Base East on October 5, while Toowoomba was involved in Exercise Bersama Padu.
The launch was attended by the film company executives, Navy top brass and three Toowoomba crew members, who feature prominently in the four-part documentary.
Navigator Lieutenant Jonathon Beatty, Officer of the Watch Lieutenant Leesa Young and Leading Seaman (LS) Adam Baskett said the documentary will provide the Australian public and millions of international viewers with a rare insight into RAN operations in the pirate-infested waters in the Middle East Area of Operations (MEAO).
LS Baskett, or ’Basko’ to his mates, said he is proud to be associated with the documentary, which will highlight the professionalism of RAN personnel who do their duty at sea, far from public view.
Prospero Productions CEO, Karen Simoncini, told Navy News that this story has never before been told which is why this documentary is so important.
“This documentary is unique because it shows the real dangers, excitement and hardships endured by the crew of a RAN warship, not just during their six-month deployment, but also their highly demanding URE/MRE which spanned two months,” she said.
Ms Simoncini said the production crew were fortunate enough to capture the real-life drama of Toowoomba’s successful thwarting of a pirate attack on a Portuguese merchant vessel in the Gulf of Aden.
“The Navy were fantastic to work with and this documentary achieves everything we dared hoped for,” she said.
In a pre-recorded video address, CO Toowoomba, Commander Ivan Ingham, said the documentary speaks volumes of the dedication to duty and professionalism of the men and women who serve in the RAN.
“It highlights our round-the-clock readiness and emphasises the importance of the tasking the RAN is currently undertaking.”
The opening episode on October 18 is entitled ‘Combat Ready’ and follows the trials and tribulations of Toowoomba’s crew during the pressure of the URE and Work-Up, in final preparation for the deployment.
The following episodes provide viewers with an insight into how the men and women of the RAN adapt to the daily pressures of life on active service, far from home and their loved ones.
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