26 November 2011

Ocean surveillance ship named HSV-6613 Giáo Su Vien sĩ Tran Đai Nghĩa (all photos : QDND, ttvnol)

QĐND Online - in Danang, Song Thu Co. Ltd. (a member of the General Department of Defense Industry) held a ceremony to hand over the sea vessel surveillance called HSV-6613 Giáo Su Vien sĩ Tran Đai Nghĩa, Admiral Pham Ngoc Minh, Deputy Commander, Chief of Navy has attended.

HSV Tau - 6613 designed by the Damen Group (Netherlands) and constructed in the Song Thu Company contributions to overcoming the lack of equipment for research, survey, surveying the sea, all set chart warning waters of Vietnam, creating favorable conditions for exploration, exploitation, controlling and protection of marine resources.

This type of steel hull ships, unrestricted activity level, consistent with hydrographic features survey and marine survey measurements, meet standards and regulations for decentralization of shipbuilding steel shell of TCVN 6259/2003 Vietnam Register, Lloyd Register, as well as conventions and other regulations related to the survey ship, surveying the sea. The vessel line shape and drive systems for adaptive purposes, can be easily rotated even in narrow waters, storm strength on level 12.

The ship is powered by four diesel combination generators, two Azimuth propeller, a propeller nose with the equipment information, navigation, weapons and other modern devices. The scope of operation of the ship is 5000 nautical miles at an average speed of 10 knots.

The ship’s design meets capability allows continuous operation at sea for 60 days and nights. The basic specifications of the ship as follows: Length overall: 66.3 m, maximum width: 13.2 m, depth: 6.5 m, draft at full load 4m, full displacement : 1550 tonnes.

Ship HSV-6613 was officially started in July - 2008, ship was launched in October - 2010. Until this time used for training and sea-trials conducted by military service.

(QDND)

24 Mei 2011

HMNZS Endeavour (photo : NZ Navy)

The new ship to replace the navy's ageing tanker, Endeavour, could have some serious weaponry to fight off pirates. The 23-year-old Endeavour will be replaced with a new ship in 2018 at a cost of about $250 million.

Navy planners looking at the best ship to order said the new ship would at the least have .50-calibre machine guns and other measures to ward off pirates.

Endeavour was built on a commercial tanker design in Korea and modified for the navy as a fleet replenishment ship, which could refuel other ships at sea, carry stores and operate a helicopter.

However, it had no weapons on board other than 5.56mm Steyr assault rifles and pistols. The navy said it was looking at following global trends to give the new ship the ability to fight off pirates.

Commander Tony Hayes, the navy officer in charge of the acquisition programme, said as well as .50-calibre machine guns, they were also looking at a deck layout which would allow a mounting for a rapid-fire Phalanx Gatling gun similar to those fitted to the Anzac frigates, Te Kaha and Te Mana.

The 20mm, radar guided, close-in weapons system is used to ward off missile attacks, strike aircraft and fast inshore attack boats and could fire up to 4500 rounds a minute.

''We would consider in the design placement for such a thing. If you look at what the other major navies are doing, they are considering self defence weapons on these types of ships.''

Cdr Hayes said as more navies opted for more multi-role ships, including ships like HMNZS Canterbury and the Endeavour replacement, they did not have as many warships.

''These multi-role vessels are having to do more jobs and independently.''

''We would want appropriate anti-piracy measures.

Anti-piracy measures could include high pressure water systems, barbed wire and ''all sorts of attachments you will see on a lot of the major oil tankers.

''It is to physically to stop people climbing or putting grappling irons on the sides of ships.''

Endeavour will become non-compliant with International Maritime Organisation requirements in 2013 and be reclassified, with its cargo volume reduced.

Two years ago the navy spent about $2m closing off some of the tanks to effectively give it a double hull, reducing the capacity by 25 percent to about 5500 tonnes of fuel. From 2013 it would be limited to 5000 tonnes of fuel.

The replacement ship was likely to be more versatile than Endeavour but it would retain its main function as a fleet tanker.

''If budget permits and the base design permits we would like to see it with additional craneage, the ability to take a lot more containers and maybe support amphibious operations too.''

The ship would also be able to land the air force's new NH 90 helicopters and the navy's Seasprite helicopters and carry limited numbers of troops.

(Stuff)

19 Januari 2011

HMAS Huon, the minehunter vessel of RAN (photo : RAN)

A Coastal Mine Hunter, HMAS Huon has commenced operations in Moreton Bay today as part of Operation Queensland Flood Assist. Fitted with sophisticated sonar equipment the ship will search for debris that poses a navigational hazard to shipping in Moreton Bay and the Brisbane River.

The mission, as requested by Emergency Management Queensland will be directed by a Maritime Task Group, established at Bulimba Barracks. Commander Maritime Task Group Commander Pete Tedman said proving the main shipping channels are clear of obstructions from the floods ultimately allows the recovery effort to proceed faster, rebuilding to accelerate, and restores vital economic activity for all of Queensland.

Huon class, view from the rear (photo : RAN)

“Our mission is to assist in making Moreton Bay safe for shipping. It is a large task and will take considerable time but our men and women are well trained to achieve it,” he said.

“The opportunity for Naval personnel to help out their fellow Australians will be rewarding professionally and personally, and we remain committed to completing all tasks requested by Emergency Management Queensland,” Commander Tedman said.

The Task Group includes headquarters personnel, Clearance Divers, a Deployable Geospatial Team and three Navy Fleet units: HMAS Huon and two Hydrographic Survey Motor Launches, HMA Ships Paluma and Shepparton arriving later today.

HMAS Shepparton, hydrographic survey ship (photo : RAN)

Defence continues to operate closely with and in support of, Queensland Emergency Services to provide personnel on the ground, subject matter expertise, planning, and coordination of ADF helicopters and aircraft as part of the response and as we move to restoration and recovery operations.

As part of Operation Queensland Flood Assist, ADF personnel have been undertaking a multitude of tasks including clearance of rubbish and assistance in road closures. The ADF commitment to Operation Queensland Flood Assist currently consists of about 1600 personnel spread between Brisbane, Rockhampton, Townsville, Amberley, Ipswich, Toowoomba, the Lockyer Valley, Theodore and St George.

(Australian DoD)