Success and Sirius: a bit of give and take

2 March 2009

Fleet Concentration Period saw HMA Ships Success (CMDR Simon Brown) and Sirius (CMDR John Cowan) join forces, literally, for the first time. Success and Sirius were involved in a series of trials to prove the operational capability for Sirius to conduct heavy jackstay transfers and consort replenishment at sea (RAS). Over a period of 2 days the two ships conducted a heavy jackstay, light jackstay and a Replenishment at Sea (Liquid) between the two vessels.

In the first of the trials Success provided the rig for the transfer of fuel to Sirius. This evolution was successfully accomplished with Success providing 50 cubic metres of fuel to Sirius in a professional and safe manner.

Success then proceeded to provide the heavy jackstay rig to pass numerous test weights and stores to Sirius. Sirius proved her manpower resources were sufficient to receive large items of stores from Success and then be able to pass them back. This is the first time Sirius had completed a heavy jackstay and she proved herself worthy with an impressive display of seamanship.

The final trial for Sirius was the extended fuel transfer with the new oiler providing 2360 cubic metres of fuel to Success. Overall, the Ships were joined for a period of over 2 hours and proved that Sirius is up to the task of providing the facilities, ability and personnel to conduct transfers at sea.

Commanding Officer of Success, CMDR Simon Brown, stated “Both evolutions by these Ships were conducted with absolute professionalism and it was fantastic to be able to hook up with Sirius and help her become an effective replenishment unit within the fleet”