Publication:Sea Talk Winter 2005/Always ready at the Harbourside cliff face
By SBLT Dan Mathieson
HMAS Waterhen has emerged as one of the Navy's true hidden gems. With magnificent views and carved cliff backdrop, Waterhen continues to act as a drawcard for civilians and service people alike.
Over the years Waterhen has evolved into a multi-faceted unit supporting Mine Warfare and Clearance Diving activities from all levels.
Historically Waterhen's first contribution to the RAN began in the 1930s when the land was used as a quarry and stone removed to Potts Point to form Captain Cook Dock and to form the land bridge between Potts Point and what was, until then, Garden Island.
The quarried area was used as a storage depot during WWII and until 1962 when the base was commissioned to support the six Ton Class mine sweepers acquired from the Royal Navy in that period.
On commissioning Waterhen took its name from the 'W' class destroyer which was commissioned into the RAN in 1933. As a member of the 'Scrap Iron Flotilla', the ship became famous for resupplying the embattled allied forces at Tobruk.
Since commissioning various mine warfare and patrol vessel classes have come and gone, however the mine warfare and clearance diving theme has remained.
In December 1994 a two-year, $70 million modernisation project began. All previous structures and wharves were removed and replaced with three main buildings and two modern wharves. Despite the levelling of the infrastructure during this period Waterhen staff continued to support mine warfare assets without reducing services.
While Waterhen is a complex group of entities, the base has always maintained a sense of unity, individuality and belonging, keeping before it the common goal - to be always ready.
Currently up to 800 people work at Waterhen. It comprises organisations such as the Mine Warfare Force Element Group, Mine Clearance Diving Task Group, Clearance Diving Team One, Defence Materiel Organisation, Fleet Logistic and Support Element and Fleet Intermediate Maintenance Activity (FIMA-W).
Waterhen's Mine Warfare Faculty takes great pride in training mine warfare and technical sailors with an impressive array of cutting edge equipment to prepare them for service in mine warfare vessels and supporting roles.
At the front line of the mine warfare world are the six mine hunters coastal (MHCs), clearance diving team and two mine sweepers auxiliary (MSAs). These vessels and organisations are integral to the operational capability of our Mine Warfare and Clearance Diving Group.
This multi-organisational interaction and high operational tempo continue to provide everyone at Waterhen with a challenging and diverse workplace where the day-to-day job is anything but mundane. This is demonstrated by Waterhen personnel being amongst the first to volunteer to deploy to Indonesia in support of humanitarian effort after the boxing day tsunamis and before that, the end of longstanding support by MHCs to the Solomon Islands as part of Operation ANODE.
Waterhen's accessibility, scenic outlook and friendly atmosphere, mean the establishment frequently plays host to a variety of conferences for the ADF, visiting dignitaries both Australian and foreign, and has recently hosted a celebrity charity dinner to raise money for Westmead Children's Hospital. Along with regular open days these activities allow Waterhen to showcase the dedication and expertise of her personnel.
While tucked away Waterhen remains steadfast in providing mine warfare and clearance diving services to the RAN now and in the future. This can only be done through the combined effort of all departments and lodger units networked within to present to the fleet a professional service that is always ready.
