Publication:Sea Talk Autumn 2005/Christening NUSHIP Armidale
By RADM Rowan Moffitt
Maritime Commander Australia
On January 22nd, I attended the christening of NUSHIP Armidale, the first of the Armidale Class patrol boats.
The ceremony was hosted by AUSTAL Shipbuilders at their shipyards at Henderson, WA. Some 220 other guests witnessed the christening, during which the traditional bottle of champagne was smashed on the ship's bow.
The christening lady was Ms Jana Stone, the eldest daughter of the late Ordinary Seaman Donald Lawson, who had been the youngest in the ship's company of the first HMAS Armidale, and a survivor when she was sunk by the Japanese near Timor in December 1942. Two other Armidale survivors of that action were also with us for the christening.
There can be no doubt that Armidale is an impressive ship, fully embracing modern technology, and with habitability improvements well above her predecessors in the Fremantle Class, if not most of the Fleet. Between decks, there is certainly a feeling of space. The passageways are wide, the living quarters spacious with 2 and 4-berth cabins, each with its own en-suite, and the galley is huge. The cabin arrangement means that female sailors will go to sea in patrol boats for the first time.
A crew of 21 will be required to keep her at sea, however facilities exist to accommodate up to 29. CN has approved the creation of 18 crews to man the 12 boats.
Accordingly, Navy can get more work from the hull, without overworking the crews. Planning the rotation of crews and boats will mean that sailors and their families will have far greater predictability in their lives, allowing more confident planning of all family issues.
Armidale is currently undergoing builder's sea trials in Cockburn Sound and the first crew members are well into their training program and learning the ropes on how to operate her. All reports to date indicate that she goes as well as she looks and she looks just great. Just to stand on the bridge is a step forward in time. Certainly she is a great credit to her builders as well as all of the many Defence civilians and Navy people involved in this project so far.
Technology, habitability and predictability are the three key words that define Armidale. They provide the necessary ingredients for a very efficient fighting unit and an environment in which sailors can feel comfortable and safe while carrying out their duty.
Having been the commissioning navigator of HMAS Fremantle in 1980, I am enormously heartened to now see the next generation of patrol boats coming off the line with so many things that will improve the lives of our sailors, as well as their ability to do their job. For the patrol boat community, the future does indeed look bright!
