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The supply ship has departed from Sydney Harbour ahead of its decommissioning in Western Australia.
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Royal Australian Navy auxiliary oiler supply ship HMAS Sirius has been farewelled by dignitaries at Fleet Base East ahead of its decommissioning next month in Western Australia.
NSW Governor Her Excellency the Honourable Margaret Beazley AC QC joined Navy personnel to farewell the vessel, which completed a lap around Sydney Harbour.
HMA Ships Supply, Arunta, Watson, Penguin, Kuttabul and an MH-60R helicopter from 816 Squadron at HMAS Albatross, paid tribute to HMAS Sirius’ 15 years of service.
Commanding Officer of HMAS Sirius, Commander Christopher Doherty reflected on the ship’s long-history of service to the nation.
“Since commissioning in 2006, HMAS Sirius has completed 766 Replenishments at Sea. This equates to almost one every week since commissioning,” CMDR Doherty said.
“We have been honoured to provide critical logistics capability to not only Australian naval ships, but those from New Zealand, the United States, the United Kingdom, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Spain, South Korea, Japan and Canada.
“It has been a great privilege to serve on board Sirius knowing that our work has enabled the Fleet to stay at sea to help safeguard the region.”
CMDR Doherty said the scale of the farewell was a testament to the values of the Navy.
“To see so many of our colleagues turn out to farewell us was a moment I am sure none of the crew will forget,” he said.
After completing the lap of honour, HMAS Sirius rendezvoused with HMAS Supply near the Western Channel before leaving the harbour to conduct a replenishment at sea.
The ship’s decommissioning will mark the official handover of replenishment capability to the new Supply Class auxiliary oiler replenishment ships, HMA Ships Supply and Stalwart.
[Related: HMAS Stalwart officially enters service]
