HMAS Choules returns to sea

HMAS Choules has returned to sea following sea assurance testing of the ship’s six propulsion and power distribution transformers which were replaced after a defect was identified in June 2012.

The ship then followed a graduated program of trials and training which concluded with a final successful readiness assessment on 12 April 2013.

Navy and the Defence Materiel Organisation have worked together to achieve this outcome. Air Force also assisted by transporting the transformers from Germany.

The ship will now participate in a number of minor amphibious exercises in North Queensland during May and June 2013 before joining other Navy ships in Exercise Talisman Sabre 13 off the Queensland coast.

The Navy’s amphibious force includes Choules, the Landing Ship Heavy HMAS Tobruk, Australian Defence Vessel Ocean Shield, and three Landing Craft Heavy vessels.

The first Landing Helicopter Dock, recently named NUSHIP Canberra, is due to achieve initial operating capability by the end of 2014.

Signs of premature ageing found on HMAS Choules

Signs of premature ageing have been found on the navy's newly acquired ex-RN RFA HMAS Choules.

As ADM has reported HMAS Choules suffered a defect while on her way to Queensland to support Exercise Hamel causing her to return to Sydney.

At the time of the incident all other transformers were checked by the transformer manufacturer (Siemens) and found to be within specification.

Following the removal of the two starboard side propulsion transformers, further investigation has been possible and this has indicated signs of premature ageing.

Defence have said that a deeper level inspection of all remaining transformers in the ship has revealed similar problems but at varying levels.

The transformer manufacturer is yet to confirm that this contributed to the failure of the starboard propulsion transformer.

Work is now underway in conjunction with the transformer manufacturer, the on-site support agencies and Defence Science and Technology Organisation to determine when the remaining transformers need to be replaced.

The Defence Materiel Organisation is also contacting the UK Ministry of Defence to coordinate further investigations.

Should HMAS Choules be further delayed in her return to service, HMAS Tobruk and Australian Defence Vessel Ocean Shield will provide any humanitarian assistance or disaster relief response if required by the Government.

The RAN landing ship HMAS Choules, bought from UK last year may need major repair

Australian news media today reported that the Navy’s new landing ship HMAS Choules, which was bought from the UK last year, may need a major repair.

The media reported that defects were detected in the propulsion system of the vessel, and it may be out of action for as much as 12 months. RAN had bought the amphibious landing ship last year, which was then celebrated as one of the most significant purchases by the Navy.

According to the naval authorities, a major defect was defected on one of the transformers, which passes electricity towards the propulsion system. The speed of the vessel was cut in to half as a result of the failure, and the RAN was forced to cancel the planned naval operations last week.

Rear Admiral Tim Barrett, senior RAN official claimed that the defect was very unusual for this type of ship, and a full scale naval investigation will be launched by the navy, to ascertain the actual reasons behind the failure. Currently the ship is docked at the Fleet Base East, in Sydney. Reports of overheating and other defects were reported from the vessel during last year itself, which were brushed aside by the naval authorities.

The vessel, which is only 6 years old, was bought by the RAN in 2011. At that time the engineers had claimed that the vessel is in excellent condition. However, after the defects were found earlier, the RAN had submitted a status report to the Australian minister of defence, Stephen Smith last month. Meanwhile senior RAN official claimed that the Navy has already contacted the manufacturers of the transformers, so that the defective ones can be replaced.

The HMAS Choules, a 16,200 tonne vessel was built by the British ship builder Swan Hunter, from the county of Tyne and Wear. The RAN acquired the vessel on 6 April 2011, four and a half years after its commissioning in to the Royal Navy. The vessel is armed with various naval guns such as the Mk 44 and the FN MAG. It is capable of transporting as much as 24 Main Battle Tanks (MBTs).