Ausmarine

AN INNOCENT AUSTRALIAN: "At present Fiji is committing to a 73-metre Ocean of Peace vessel capable of regional disaster response and amphibious beach landings similar to the latest United States Marine Corps (USMC) vessel, to provide a much needed regional capability. "At present, when south west Pacific islands are struck by cyclones or tsunamis, the affected area has to wait for Australia or New Zealand to select a vessel and equip it for the task, sometimes taking two to three weeks to arrive at the disaster site. "This Fiji-based vessel can carry 84 disaster response containers that can cater for up to 750 people in distress, and it can reach most neighbouring nations within two days. For regional peacekeeping duties, this vessel has good accommodation and meeting rooms, providing an ideal neutral zone for parties to discuss and resolve differences before they become irreconcilable." Full article link in comments.

BOOK REVIEW: "A very quick thinker, Captain Popham was articulate and valuably persuasive despite his many enemies. He developed and was an early expert on amphibious warfare, combined operations and, most notably, effective signalling. "He was clearly unpopular among many of his naval contemporaries who were largely incapable of coping with his unconventional approaches to their trade and, thus, envious of him. Possibly, that was partly due to his many successes that made him attractive to his political masters. "This is a fascinating and inspiring biography that has been very well written." Full article link in comments.

OPINION: "Displacing more than 10,000 tonnes, SSN-AUKUS submarines will be too big for Australia’s needs. Their size will increase their detectability, cost and crews (the large size appears to be driven by the dimensions of the reactor). "The Royal Australian Navy is already unable to crew its ships and grow to meet future demands. It will have great difficulty in crewing Virginias, which need 132 people each, and SSN-AUKUS boats, too, if their crews equal the 100-odd needed for the current British Astute-class. "We have yet to see a schedule for the British design process, nor does a joint design team seem to have been established. In the absence of news that milestones have been achieved or even set, it is highly likely that the SSN-AUKUS program, like the Astute program, will run late and deliver a first-of-class boat with many problems. Knowing that Britain’s Strategic Defence Review is grappling with serious funding shortfalls hardly instils confidence." Full article link in comments.

VESSEL REVIEW: US-based defence technology company Anduril Industries has completed construction of the first example of the 'Ghost Shark' extra large autonomous underwater vehicle (XLAUV) ordered by the Australian Department of Defence (DOD). The XLAUV is the first of three that will be built under an initial AU$140 million (US$90 million) co-development contract between the Royal Australian Navy (RAN), the DOD's Defence Science and Technology Group (DSTG), and Anduril. Detailed specifications of 'Ghost Shark' and its possible sensor options have not been disclosed to the public. However, the DOD said the XLAUV will provide the RAN with a stealthy, long-range autonomous undersea warfare capability. Missions will include persistent intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) and strike. Full article link in comments.

VESSEL REVIEW: A new research vessel was recently handed over to the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research of New Zealand (NIWA). 'Kaharoa II' was built by Armon Shipyard of Spain to a design by Norwegian naval architecture firm Skipsteknisk to replace an older, slightly smaller similarly named vessel that has been in service for more than 40 years. The onboard facilities include wet and dry laboratories of more than 12 square metres (130 square feet) each, a conference room, and five cabins. The aft deck has a total area of 85 square metres (910 square feet) for the transport of additional equipment. Full article link in comments.

VESSEL REVIEW: Auckland, New Zealand-based marine technology company Vessev recently introduced an electric hydrofoil catamaran vessel designed to carry passengers. 'VS-9' has all-FRP construction, a length of 8.95 metres (29.3 feet), a displacement of 4.4 tonnes at full load, and seating for a helm operator and 10 passengers. It will be used primarily as a tour boat and as a point to point transport. Because of the use of hydrofoils, the vessel’s hull can remain 50 cm (1.6 feet) above the surface of the water while underway, thus allowing the vessel itself to attain high transit speeds without being affected by waves even in bad weather. This then ensures a much more comfortable ride and little to no fatigue on the occupants. Full article link in comments.

OPINION: "Things started well. The construction of the first ship commenced on schedule and even ahead of schedule on the first one in Western Australia. In October 2020, the ANAO released a performance audit of the project. Compared to the ANAO’s dismal assessment of most Defence projects, SEA 1180 received an almost glowing review. Things were going so well that the previous government announced in January 2021 that a new class of mine warfare vessels would be based on the Arafura design (whether it was an appropriate design for that role is a separate issue). "Yet in time-tested fashion, Defence has managed to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. First there was the gun. Defence had selected the OTO Marlin 40mm gun for the Arafura rather than the Bofors 57mm gun in the original design, but ultimately admitted it couldn’t integrate it into the vessel. Instead it would use recycled 25mm cannons from the Armidales. "Since the navy had already removed the anti-ship missiles from the original design in Bruneian service, and the Arafura couldn’t embark a combat helicopter, the new vessel would have no more firepower than a patrol boat one-fifth its size. Its lack of warfighting capability would come back to haunt it." Full article link in comments.

OPINION: "The Defence Strategic Review recommended that 'Defence should be the force of last resort for domestic aid to the civil community, except in extreme circumstances.' Relying on the ADF for maritime constabulary work is another example of resorting to it for civil functions. "The ABF maritime unit workforce is about 550 personnel, and it presently has 11 patrol vessels, one large-hull vessel, and two fast-response boats. To assist in its maritime surveillance role, the ABF leases 10 Dash 8 aircraft and two helicopters. This is a small civil maritime footprint for a country with the third-largest exclusive economic zone in the world. "There have been reports of billion-dollar warships being used for constabulary functions. The MBC drawing on Royal Australian Air Force aircraft is just as inappropriate—for example, when $250 million P-8A Poseidon aircraft designed for anti-submarine warfare are needed for supplementing ABF aerial surveillance. Not only is this uneconomical, but it will not be feasible in the event of regional crisis or conflict. The National Defence Strategy is clear that the ADF must be focused on high-end warfighting." Full article link in comments.

VESSEL REVIEW: The Waikato Regional Council in North Island, New Zealand recently took delivery of a new catamaran patrol craft designed and built by local company Kingfisher Boats. 'Tutaia' ("Vigilance") will be used primarily to help maintain buoys and to conduct boating safety patrols throughout the Waikato region, which has seen a growing population and a subsequent increase in boating activity. The boat's standard commercial catamaran design ensures stability that makes it suitable for operation under a wide range of weather conditions, thus allowing the council's maritime team to operate effectively year-round. A davit will be used to help maintain buoys and other aids to navigation. The davit has a maximum lifting capacity of 250 kg, making it ideal for working with buoys fitted with heavy chains and anchors to help keep them in position. Full article link in comments.

VESSEL REVIEW: Thai/Australian boatbuilder SeaCat Ships recently handed over a new aluminium catamaran ferry to Aquatic Rentals, an operator that serves some of the inter-island routes in both the US and British Virgin Islands. The aptly named 'Sea Express III' will primarily be operated as an inter-island ferry, but it may also be used for sightseeing tours for cruise ship guests in the region. 'Sea Express III' has an LOA of 18.4 metres (60.4 feet), a beam of 6.06 metres (19.9 feet), a draught of only 1.95 metres (6.4 feet), and space for three crewmembers. Two 600kW (800hp) IMO Tier III diesel engines drive fixed-pitch, stainless steel propellers to deliver a cruising speed of 24 knots at 85 per cent MCR. The engines are fed by two 830-litre (180-gallon) tanks. Full article link in comments.