HMAS Choules is the navy's new amphibious transport, purchased for $100 million last year.
HMAS Choules left Sydney on June 13
Returned a day later when fault cut power by half
Vessel sold to Australia for $100 million in 2011
THE navy's new amphibious transport HMAS Choules has returned to Sydney to repair a mechanical fault that cut engine power in half.
HMAS Choules, acquired second-hand from the United Kingdom and assessed as being in very good condition, left Sydney on June 13 to participate in Exercise Hamel.
Just a day later, a defect occurred on one of the six transformers which form part of the ship's propulsion system, reducing propulsion power by 50 per cent.
Defence said the ship's commanding officer made the safe and prudent decision to return to Sydney for repairs.
It said the navy had been advised by the ship's previous operator, the Royal Fleet Auxiliary, that this type of defect was very unusual.
Navy fleet commander Rear Admiral Tim Barrett said a technical investigation into the possible cause had begun.
"Navy and the Defence Materiel Organisation are working extremely closely with the original manufacturer of the transformer to have it repaired and the ship return to sea as soon as possible," a defence statement said.
The 16,000 tonne vessel was built in the UK and served with Britain's Royal Fleet Auxiliary from 2006 until 2011 when she was declared surplus and sold to Australia for $100 million.
She was acquired to provide the navy with an additional amphibious transport capability following early retirement of the landing ships HMAS Manoora and HMAS Kanimbla.
No comments:
Post a Comment