Publication:Navy Annual 2005/Fleet Base West Open Day 2004

BY GARY BOOTH, DEFENCE PUBLIC AFFAIRS - WESTERN AUSTRALIA

A pleasant sunny day greeted some 26,000 people who flocked to the showpiece of the royal Australian Navy, HMAS Stirling, for the first Open Day in four years, on Sunday 28 November, 2004.

High on everyone's list of what to see at Fleet Base West were the submarines Rankin and Farncomb. People queued for up to two hours to tour these submarines. One lady rang Defence Public Affairs (WA) early on the Sunday to ensure the submarines were open as she 'had three hours travel to get to Fleet Base West (FBW).'

Not far behind in the popularity stakes were the Anzac Class frigates HMA Ships Arunta and Warramunga, along with the guided-missile frigate HMAS Canberra, where long lines of visitors eagerly waited their opportunity to tour the warships. The Australian Customs boat ACV Storm Bay was also a popular attraction.

Tents and marquees had sprung up around the wharf areas of Fleet Base West, from which lodger units provided displays. Firefighting displays by the royal Australian Navy School of Survival and Ship's Safety drew much interest along with the Australian Clearance Diving Team Four exhibition of their diving equipment and weaponry.

FIMA Perth workshops were open for inspection, along with the submarine Escape Rescue Centre conducting submarine escape demonstrations throughout the day that captured people's imaginations.

Welcome support from the Army's Red Beret parachute display team, and flypasts by RAAF Hawk and PC9 aircraft, added to the day's entertainment value.

For HMAS Stirling's outgoing Commanding Officer, CMDR Phil Orchard, RAN the day was a great success. "I was very happy with the efforts of all our people in showcasing what we, the Navy, do for our fellow Australians", CMDR Orchard, RAN said. He added "the turnout by the public was great, exceeding by several thousand people the numbers that visited FBW during the last Open Day in November 2001."