Sydney met Maryborough
19 December 2007
HMAS Maryborough made her first visit to Sydney on December 12 and offered a unique experience to 22 sea riders to embark for a sail around the Harbour.
As the newest member of the Fleet, Maryborough was keen to show off her state-of-the-art capabilities and comfortable living conditions.
Maryborough, the Royal Australian Navy's (RAN) penultimate Armidale Class Patrol Boat (ACPB) was commissioned in a traditional ceremony alongside Bulimba Barracks Wharf, Brisbane on Saturday 8th December.
All of the sea riders were impressed with Maryborough, particularly her welcoming crew. The 10 public servants embarked even deliberated about whether they should make a career switch and put on the RAN uniform.
"It was a wonderful opportunity for our group of defence civilians to gain a greater insight into the Fleet's border protection capability. The Armidales seem to do the job with style", said Ms Karen Thorn, from Fleet Headquarters.
The guests were treated to a guided tour of Maryborough, before the crew conducted two "Away Sea Boat" exercises, making for a great photo opportunity.
After Maryborough's sister ship Nuship Glenelg commissions in early 2008, the two ACPBs will be based in Darwin and crewed by the Aware Division. The division comprises three crews of 21 personnel, which rotate under a multi-crewing arrangement.
The Aware One Crew are currently assigned to Maryborough, under the command of LCDR Gerry Savvakis, RAN.
" Maryborough will provide considerable improvements in both operational capability as well as crew habitability," LCDR Gerry Savvakis, RAN, said. "She will add a new dimension to border security."
"This port visit to Sydney is a great chance for us to demonstrate the Armidale's capabilities to the rest of the Fleet who have not had a chance to see one of the boats up close and personal yet." Maryborough departed Sydney for Jervis Bay on 17 December and will then transit to northern waters for her first patrol on Operation Resolute.
