HMAS Wollongong handed over
22 August 2007 By LCDR Mark Taylor
Ardent Two has just handed over HMAS Wollongong after a very busy cycle. During this time we:
- Completed Mariner Skills Workup
- Sailed for Sydney
- Commissioned HMAS Wollongong at Sydney
- Conducted Mission Readiness Workup in Jervis Bay
- Conducted Second ACPB visit to Lord Howe Island
- Conducted First ACPB visit to Brisbane
- Conducted Operation Resolute Patrol in Torres Strait.
The Commissioning ceremony alongside the Oil Wharf, Garden Island would have to have been the highlight! A few photos are shown. An enormous crowd turned out for the day and the weather in Sydney was glorious!
Following the Operation Resolute patrol, the ship conducted a visit to Lord Howe Island - a tiny but beautiful island in the Tasman Sea where a few of the more intrepid among us took up the challenge of climbing Mount Gower (874m). It was an exhausting climb but we made it! After a brief patrol around Elizabeth and Middleton Reefs we were the first ACPB to ever visit Brisbane. With lots of Brissy natives onboard it was a great time, and the Brisbane/Gold Coast area has just so much to offer.
Whilst in Brisbane, we received news of a program change and shortly afterward we found ourselves on Operation Resolute patrol up in Torres Strait. The crew really enjoyed being "on patrol" and doing what we were trained for. We spent a large portion of the time in the vicinity of the Great North East Channel on fisheries patrol. But in between patrol days, we did find some time for some excellent fishing! Our many avid fishermen in the crew were most happy with the results.
We are now off watch - until late October. Keep our page in your favourites for more updates.
