Royal Australian Navy Discussions and Updates

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Abraham Gubler

Defense Professional
Verified Defense Pro
I could be wrong but i believe the PB crews are sworn (and armed) officers where the contractors are restricted to the larger ships, i.e. Triton and the orange thing.
They have marine unit enforcement officers who are the sworn customs officers who do the boarding, arresting and the like. But the ship's crew are contractors on the leased boats and APS on the govt. owned boats.
 

gf0012-aust

Grumpy Old Man
Staff member
Verified Defense Pro
I'm just impressed that people must think Customs are complete muppets to buy such a "bad" design.
the reason is because if you've seen the fitout specs you'll understand that there are all these issues with extra gear that was added on and no consideration was given to issues such as weight, handling, spectrum conflict and minor but important issues such as building to class requirements due to the initial reqs

I don't think that customs are muppets, I'm saying that there was minimal control demonstrated in fitting out and selecting a class of vessel way beyond initial design specs

greenwater fine, greywater (which is the aspiration) - not so sure I'd want to crew it

and I have seen the actual internal specs.
 
Do you think Navy does better? Just look at the mast on the Armidale and see how many peices of kit are not even plugged in down below. All their requrements definition went into paying for systems that never worked and were eventually removed of the vessel.
 

gf0012-aust

Grumpy Old Man
Staff member
Verified Defense Pro
Do you think Navy does better? Just look at the mast on the Armidale and see how many peices of kit are not even plugged in down below. All their requrements definition went into paying for systems that never worked and were eventually removed of the vessel.
PM me. Not going to continue this discussion in here
 

old faithful

The Bunker Group
Verified Defense Pro
i was just getting some pop corn!
Seems there are a lot of people unhappy about contractors in the defence force.
There were no civvy contractors when I was at Holsworthy, entry points were manned by soldiers, kitchens were run by soldiers, vehicles. in nearly all cases, maintained by soldiers. Im sure that there are some benefits of using contractors, but surly a major asset such as a war ship, should be maintained by Navy.
 

StoresBasher

The Bunker Group
Verified Defense Pro
i was just getting some pop corn!
Seems there are a lot of people unhappy about contractors in the defence force.
There were no civvy contractors when I was at Holsworthy, entry points were manned by soldiers, kitchens were run by soldiers, vehicles. in nearly all cases, maintained by soldiers. Im sure that there are some benefits of using contractors, but surly a major asset such as a war ship, should be maintained by Navy.
I am reminded of what the CO of a former ship said once;
Yes I am the Captain of this ship, but she is not mine.
She belongs to various companies in Australia, who tell me when it's broken, tell me what is needed to get us to sea and tell me that they have fixed the problems.
 

alexsa

Super Moderator
Staff member
Verified Defense Pro
Some of us have seen the specs - and also seen how Customs evaluate platforms.

Have to say that on personal experience, I'm with Alexas on this.

They're nicknamed HMAS Harvey Norman for a reason.....
The fitting of a "Pandora's Box" aft and "special" accomodation points to their role. Different beast to the ACPB
 

weegee

Active Member
HMAS Choules

Hey guys,

I know I asked the other day about Choules and how soon she would be up and running again, but I forgot to ask about the repair? I know that all the transformers will/ have been replaced but has there been actions put in place so this failure will not happen again? if so are they modifications to the cooling system? If mods have been carried out what what are they? or will they just modify how the ship is run in our waters?

Thanks
 

StoresBasher

The Bunker Group
Verified Defense Pro
Hey guys,

I know I asked the other day about Choules and how soon she would be up and running again, but I forgot to ask about the repair? I know that all the transformers will/ have been replaced but has there been actions put in place so this failure will not happen again? if so are they modifications to the cooling system? If mods have been carried out what what are they? or will they just modify how the ship is run in our waters?

Thanks
Yes I am sure that there has been lessons learnt from the Transformer issues. The cooling system had nothing to do with anything related to the transformer problems.
 

Milne Bay

Active Member
Yes I am sure that there has been lessons learnt from the Transformer issues. The cooling system had nothing to do with anything related to the transformer problems.
There was some discussion at the time, of replacing all - or at least more than the faulty one - of the transformers, while she was laid up.
How many were actually replaced. I've looked, but can't find the reference.
Cheers
MB
 

RobWilliams

Super Moderator
Staff member
This alright?

Defence News and Media » HMAS Choules – Update

In September 2012 Defence provided an update on the circumstances surrounding the defect which occurred on one of the propulsion transformers in HMAS Choules in June 2012.

This updates that advice.

The replacement of the propulsion transformers related to the initial defect has now occurred.

As detailed in previous advice, all remaining transformers have now also been inspected and similar signs of premature ageing have been identified. This ageing is within operational limitations and at varying levels.

Following consultation with the transformer manufacturer, the Defence Materiel Organisation, the Defence Science and Technology Organisation, Lloyds Classification Society and the UK Ministry of Defence, the Chief of Navy has made the decision to replace the remaining four transformers on the Choules before the ship returns to sea.
So a total of 5, the knackered one and 4 others which were heading that way in one stage or another.

As a side note, this was published in Nov 2012 and the transformers were still being built [same source]

The total cost of the replacement is expected to be in the order of $10 million. The replacement transformers are currently under construction. HMAS Choules is scheduled to return to work by April 2013.
 
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weegee

Active Member
Yes I am sure that there has been lessons learnt from the Transformer issues. The cooling system had nothing to do with anything related to the transformer problems.
Sorry I thought I heard that they were burnt out and I just assumed it had something to do with the cooling system for them well we all know what assuming does don't we???
Basically makes me look like a D#&K haha
 

A.Mookerjee

Banned Member
It's pretty wonderful, the fact that the Australian armed forces are significantly numerically small, but they are supposed to be among the best in the world. This is very intriguing, as the entire army has the same training. No person says, that one battalion or corps is better than the other, having two soldiers standing side by side. The Gurkhas had served in the 8th army, perhaps, but according to what Robin Neillands might have not expressed, but perceived, the Australian General was unrested every time his formation was mentioned during combat. He also mentions, that the Australians were supposed to be invaluable, in the terrain, according to the higher up's, perhaps because they had desert warfare training, perhaps, as a most remote probability, in the Tasmanian desert.
 

the road runner

Active Member
Australia has dryer places than Tasmania. One thing is for sure,if you have ever been to the outback ,water is life.Northern territory ,SA,WA even inland NSW and QLD are very dry places.
 

drjn

New Member
It's pretty wonderful, the fact that the Australian armed forces are significantly numerically small, but they are supposed to be among the best in the world. This is very intriguing, as the entire army has the same training. No person says, that one battalion or corps is better than the other, having two soldiers standing side by side. The Gurkhas had served in the 8th army, perhaps, but according to what Robin Neillands might have not expressed, but perceived, the Australian General was unrested every time his formation was mentioned during combat. He also mentions, that the Australians were supposed to be invaluable, in the terrain, according to the higher up's, perhaps because they had desert warfare training, perhaps, as a most remote probability, in the Tasmanian desert.
I think that you may have posted this in the wrong forum?
 

weegee

Active Member
It's pretty wonderful, the fact that the Australian armed forces are significantly numerically small, but they are supposed to be among the best in the world. This is very intriguing, as the entire army has the same training. No person says, that one battalion or corps is better than the other, having two soldiers standing side by side. The Gurkhas had served in the 8th army, perhaps, but according to what Robin Neillands might have not expressed, but perceived, the Australian General was unrested every time his formation was mentioned during combat. He also mentions, that the Australians were supposed to be invaluable, in the terrain, according to the higher up's, perhaps because they had desert warfare training, perhaps, as a most remote probability, in the Tasmanian desert.
HUH? While I agree that the Australian Defence Force has a great reputation around the world I don't quite see the point and how it relates to the RAN thread? Maybe post it somewhere more appropriate possibly the Aust Army thread as you are making reference about the Aust Army just a thought.
 

t68

Well-Known Member
Yes I am sure that there has been lessons learnt from the Transformer issues. The cooling system had nothing to do with anything related to the transformer problems.
It’s nice to hear the Choules is moving under her own steam so to speak during the week, let’s hope HMAS Choules has, Fair Winds and Following Seas.
 
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