Toowoomba Helps Out Again
12 June 2009 By LCDR Stan Buckham
Only a week out from departing from Fleet Base West (FBW) in transit to the Middle East Area of Operations (MEAO), HMAS Toowoomba (CMDR Ivan Ingham) rendered assistance to an Indian Ocean Rowing Race support vessel, the yacht ‘Desiderata’.
The Rescue Coordination Centre (RCC) Australia requested the ADF provide assistance to the 18-metre ketch which was acting as a support vessel. It was located approximately 750nm South-South-West of the Cocos Keeling Islands and reported to be low on fuel.
Indian Ocean Rowing Race 09 is the first race of its type to cross the Indian Ocean; it is also the first ocean rowing race to be held in the Southern Hemisphere. Departing from Geraldton, Western Australia on 19th April, the fastest team is expected to complete the race of 3,100 nautical miles and arrive in Mauritius in about 60 days. Slower solo and pairs teams meanwhile could take well over 100 days to finish. This extreme race pushes rowers to the limits of human physical and mental endurance.
After an overnight sprint, Toowoomba located the ketch and after establishing radio contact with the race support team developed a plan for the transfer of fuel. Yacht Master, Mark Terry and his three colleagues reported that they were most impressed to have the company of an RAN warship and after spending 55 days at sea were delighted by Toowoomba’s offer of a freshly prepared meal and a hot shower.
Their internet message posted to Desiderata’s online blog site reads “after a rendezvous at sea with HMAS Toowoomba, we took on additional fuel and fresh supplies and enjoyed a couple of hours liberty aboard one of the Australian Navys finest and most impressive warships. The whole crew and officers of Toowoomba made a great effort to make us feel comfortable and welcome for the duration of our visit and showed great interest in the rowing race and voyage itself. We were treated to hot showers and fresh food and enjoyed a tour of the ship. Simon was given a medical examination after his 55 day ordeal and apart from one or two issues was given a clean bill of health. We are now back aboard Desiderata and continuing with our own voyage after waving farewell to Toowoomba who we would like to express our gratitude and warmest thanks to.
After providing refreshments, medical checks and 330 litres of fuel, Toowoomba bid farewell and resumed her journey to Diego Garcia and is now enroute to her final destination in the MEAO.
