The Flagship
180th AUSTRALIA DAY REGATTA
The Flagship of the 180th Australia Day Regatta was HMAS Yarra.
HMAS Yarra, Flagship of the 180th Australia Day Regatta
HMAS Yarra is the last of six RAN Huon Class minehunters which were built in Newcastle, NSW and was commissioned on 1 March 2003. Like her sister ships, Yarra‘s unique hull design is shock resistant with a low magnetic and acoustic signature. This allows the ship to operate in hostile mine environments. When mine hunting, propulsion and precision manoeuvrability is achieved using retractable thrusters.
The Ship uses variable depth sonar to search for and prosecute mines. Upon detection, the ship deploys the remotely operated Mine Disposal Vehicle (MDV) or clearance divers to identify and neutralise mines. The MDV, equipped with a searchlight, camera, sonar and disposal charge, is controlled from Ship’s operations room.
More information about HMAS Yarra can be found at www.navy.gov.au/hmas-yarra-iv.
179th AUSTRALIA DAY REGATTA
The Flagship of the 179th Australia Day Regatta was HMAS Canberra, the first of two Canberra-class Amphibious Assault Ships, otherwise known as Landing Helicopter Dock (LHD), to be commissioned into the RAN. HMAS Canberra was commissioned on 28 November 2014 and her sister ship, HMAS Adelaide, was commissioned on 4 December 2015.
HMAS Canberra, Flagship of the 179th Australia Day Regatta
At 27,000 tonnes, the LHDs are the largest ships ever constructed for the Royal Australian Navy and were built by BAE Systems Australia and Navantia of Spain. The ships provide the Australian Defence Force with one of the most capable and sophisticated air-land-sea amphibious deployment systems in the world
178th AUSTRALIA DAY REGATTA
The Flagship of the 178th Australia Day Regatta was HMAS Choules.
HMAS Choules is classified as an amphibious support ship. The ship is able to embark and disembark a military force alongside in a standard roll-on/roll-off method or by air or sea. The ship has the ability to operate with landing craft in the open sea without the need to anchor. The ship has an enclosed dock and is able to operate a variety of landing craft and Mexeflotes.
HMAS Choules is a Bay-class landing ship dock built in Newcastle, England for the Royal Fleet Auxiliary as Largs Bay. RFA Largs Bay was completed on 28 November 2006 and was acquired by the RAN in April 2011. HMAS Choules has a displacement of 16,160 t and an overall length of 177 m. Powered by Wärtsilä diesels with electric pod drive she has a maximum speed of 18 knots and a range of 10 000 n miles at 15 knots. Her complement comprises 158 sailors and soldiers.
The ship is capable of carrying the full range of military vehicles, including main battle tanks required for an amphibious assault, together with an embarked military force of up to 330 troops in full fighting order. The ship has a 36 m single-spot flight deck with facilities for the transport and operation of aircraft types including MRH 90, Seahawk and Blackhawk helicopters.
The primary role of HMAS Choules is to:
- Provide independent amphibious lift capability.
- Be capable of operating without a port in support of contingency missions.
- Participation in amphibious and other exercises.
- Maintenance of amphibious competencies.
- Training to participate in military support operations.