HMAS Sydney Open Day, Fremantle

HMAS Sydney arrived in Fremantle on Friday 16 June. She welcomed visitors onboard between 8.30am and 2.30pm, on Sunday 18 June.

There were earlier in depth tours for those aged 15 and over interested in Navy or Defence Careers.

HMAS Sydney is a modern warship that was commissioned by the Royal Australian Navy in 2020. It is the fifth ship to bear the name HMAS Sydney and is one of the most advanced warships in the world. She is one of the three Hobart Class air warfare destroyers used by the Royal Australian Navy. The Sydney is capable of air defence, surface warfare, surveillance and underwater warfare.

The Sydney has a crew of 230, including 40 women. Women in the navy receive exactly the same job choices, pay and training as men.

The tour was a unique experience that provided visitors with an insight into the capabilities of modern naval vessels and an opportunity to chat with the friendly crew.

Visitors were allowed in various sections of the ship, and had to climb up and down several ships ladders. The tour began at the poop deck at the rear. Visitors had the opportunity to lie on the ground and imaging firing guns or operating the ships water cannon.

The tour provided detailed information about each section, explaining how the ship operates and the challenges faced by the crew during operations.

From the bridge and the ship’s operations room, visitors could see how the ship’s crew monitor and control the ship’s systems. From the bridge there were amazing views over Fremantle Harbour.

One of the highlights of the tour was the opportunity to see the ship’s weapons systems up close: missile launchers, gun turrets, and other advanced weapons systems.

The Royal Australian Navy patrol the Australian coastline, protect trade routes, support international security initiatives, provide search and rescue, community support, ocean surveys and mapping, navy exercises, humanitarian aid, peacekeeping initiatives and disaster-relief activities.

On their way to Fremantle, HMAS Sydney conducted a medical evacuation of a civilian mariner from an oil tanker, MV Energy River, hundreds of nautical miles off the West Australian coast.

The Sydney re-tasked from training exercises at sea to render assistance. The tanker was unable to transport him to a medical facility within an adequate time.

The Sydney travelled at speed for two days over a distance of 850 nautical miles deep into the Southern Ocean to assist the mariner and provide medical evacuation.

As one of the crew say ‘you never know what challenges you might face in the Navy’. The Sydney’s motto is ‘Thorough and Ready’.

* STORY AND PHOTOGRAPHS by Jean Hudson @jeansodyssey. Jean is our Shipping Correspondent and also a regular feature writer and photographer here on the Shipping News. You may like to follow up her informative Places I Love stories, as well as other feature stories and Freo Today photographs, right here.

WHILE YOU’RE HERE –