Bit of R & R a shore bet
Navy gives its sailors leave on the triple
THREE navy ships have made a stopover in Cairns, while another has been spotted further north providing maritime security support for APEC.
Frigates HMAS Parramatta and HMAS Warramunga and replenishment ship HMAS Success arrived at the Port of Cairns this week.
A Defence spokesman said the ships were in Cairns for “a logistics visit”.
He said the ships were due to depart today.
A Ports North spokesman said the ships were expected to stay another day in the Far North before departing.
“I have no idea what they’re doing here,” he said.
“They arrived a couple of days ago for some R & R – a bit of rest for the crew.
“Parramatta was here February this year and Warramunga hasn’t visited Cairns for a few years.”
HMAS Adelaide has also been spotted in Papua New Guinea in recent days. It’s understood the ship has joined a Royal Australian Navy landing helicopter dock and Armidale class patrol boats, HMAS Larrakia and Glenelg, to support PNG security agencies to deliver a safe and secure APEC which is being held in Port Moresby on November 17-18.
“The safety and security of the maritime environment surrounding Port Moresby will be critical during Leaders’ Week,” Minister for Defence Christopher Pyne said.
“Australia is pleased to enhance PNG’s maritime security arrangements for APEC by providing these capabilities.”
Assistant Minister for Defence Senator David Fawcett said the ADF stood ready to respond to security tasks if requested by PNG’s Joint Security Task Force.
He said the task force was “well prepared to handle all security arrangements for Leaders’ Week”.
editorial@cairnspost.com.au facebook.com/TheCairnsPost www.cairnspost.com.au twitter.com/TheCairnsPost