HMAS CHOULES

Main Machinery 4 main (+1 standby) diesel- electric generating sets: • 2 x Wärtsilä 8L26 engines at 2240kW (3045hp) each • 2 x Wärtsilä 12V26 engines at 3360kW The ’s newest ship, HMAS Choules, arrived at (4568hp) each homeport in Sydney before Christmas after being • 2 thruster pods + formally commissioned in Fremantle on 13 December 2011. fi xed bow thruster Speed 18 knots HMAS Choules was renamed after Chief Petty Offi cer HMAS Choules also carries two of her own Mexefl ote Range Claude Choules, Australia’s last surviving WWI veteran who landing raft, which are fl at, modular pontoons with bolt-on 15,000km at 15 knots passed away in Perth in May 2011, aged 110. He served in engine/propeller units, which can carry about 60 tonne of the British and Australian navies for nearly 40 years and vehicles, stores or personnel from ship to shore. In transit, (28km/h) saw active service in both World Wars. they can be seen lashed (with their engines removed) to The acquisition of this ship will help ensure that the the ship’s sides. RAN has the amphibious capability it needs for operations HMAS Choules is a Bay-class landing ship dock, or humanitarian support in the period leading up to the laid down in January 2002, launched in July 2003 and arrival of the two Canberra-class landing helicopter dock commissioned into the in November ships in 2014 and 2015. 2006 as RFA Largs Bay. HMAS Choules has a cargo capacity equivalent to the Slated to be removed from service under UK Strategic now-retired HMA Ships Manoora and Kanimbla, and HMAS Defence and Security Review cutbacks, Australia, in Tobruk combined. desperate need of amphibious-lift capacity, jumped at the The 176m-long, 16,190 tonne vessel has a crew of 158 opportunity and secured the ship for $100 million. offi cers and sailors. ADF Ship Choules was formally handed over in October She can embark a ‘normal load’ of 356 combat troops, last year after undergoing a major refi t to make her or ‘overload’ with up to 700, and has the capacity to load suitable for RAN service. Works included; overhaul of the and transport up to 32 Abrams tanks or 150 light trucks. main propulsion system, including diesel generators and Her extensive fl ight deck can accommodate two large azimuths (propellers on pods that can be rotated for helicopters simultaneously, and her stern docking well can steerage, thus making a rudder unnecessary); repaint the facilitate LCM-8 landing-craft operations. hull and fl ight deck; install a temporary aircraft shelter; upgrade the tropical cooling system; upgrade and maintenance of the salt-water system; overhaul the stern ramp; extend the bridge front walkway; various safety enhancements; and, supply and install the two Mexefl ote pontoons. Following the commissioning ceremony for HMAS Choules in December, the government announced it planned to purchase another amphibious ship to add to Australia’s humanitarian and disaster-relief capacity. They said a commercial off-the-shelf vessel would be sought so that minimal modifi cations would be needed, allowing the ship to enter service this year. This new vessel will be manned by civilians.

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