Mission ready
 

AB Frank Knies raises the Australian White Ensign onboard HMAS Maitland for the first time, during her Commissioning Ceremony in Newcastle.

HOORAY: HMAS Maitland’s Ship’s company Cheer Ship during her Commissioning Ceremony in Newcastle. Photos: ABPH Jo Dilorenzo

Volume 49, No. 19 ,October 19, 2006
 

By Hugh McKenzie

The cannons were fired from Fort Scratchley, a greeting to NUSHIP Maitland as she entered harbour on September 28 for her commissioning in Newcastle the next day.

A new sailor’s cap with an HMA Patrol Boats cap tally was the gift for commissioning lady, Jacqueline Rice. Mrs Rice named Maitland at the Austal facility at Henderson WA in May.
“When I named her I thought, in my ignorance of all things Naval, that would be that,” she said.

“However the following five months have been a most interesting time for me. To my surprise and delight I have been kept informed of her progress as the men and women of Assail Two worked at their training and put their boat through her paces and trials off Darwin.

“I have great pleasure in reporting to you all here today having watched, as a guest on board, these fine men and women operate their warship that our beautiful boat is in good hands.”

Maitland is named for HMAS Maitland I, a naval depot established in Newcastle in 1939 at the outbreak of World War 2.

The Royal Navy already had an HMS Newcastle so Maitland was named for the nearest city to Newcastle.

In his address, the CO of HMAS Maitland, LCDR Dave Graham welcomed Jack Breddin, father of Jacqueline Rice, who served as a telegraphist on Maitland I.

“It is a pleasure to see the veterans here and I can only imagine how much it means to you to see the name Maitland again on the warship behind me,” he said.

“The ship’s crest and motto, ‘Invincible’ owe their heritage to the City of Maitland’s Coat of Arms. This symbolises, and links, the spirit of the Maitland community and the Royal Australian Navy in rising above adversity and fostering progress.

“Patrol Boat 88, Hull 326 also represents the people who built her.

“Finally, for the group of people I have come to know the best, the men and women who are the crew of Maitland, collectively known as Assail Two. I congratulate you on your efforts, your flexibility and tenacity.”

Boats back in action

The Navy’s fleet of Armidale Class Patrol Boats will progressively be returned to operations.
A thorough technical investigation has been conducted that has now identified the cause of the fuel atomisation problem.

Water contamination was discovered in three of the seven ACPB fuel systems currently in service, which led to failure of the fuel pumps.

The four ships unaffected by water contamination will be released back to normal operations once system checks have been completed.