Largs Bay on the way

Australia has been successful in its bid to acquire the UK’s Bay Class amphibious ship Largs Bay, announced minister for defence Stephen Smith and minister for defence materiel Jason Clare.

The Government has previously announced that it had asked Defence to develop new and comprehensive options to ensure transition to Australia’s Canberra Class amphibious Landing Helicopter Dock ships, which become operational from 2014, including the lease or purchase of a Bay Class Ship from the UK Government.

Largs Bay will help ensure that the Royal Australian Navy has the amphibious capability it needs for operation and humanitarian support in our region in the period leading up to the arrival of the Landing Helicopter Dock Ships.

The ship has been acquired for £65 million, approximately $100 million.

The ship has book value of $130 million and represents excellent value for money, minister Smith said.

Teekay Shipping Australia has thoroughly inspected the ship and found that: “The ship presents very well, and from a technical point of view, there are no major defects,” the minister said.

Before the acquisition is finalised, Defence and the Royal Australian Navy will conduct sea trials to confirm the material state of the ship.

The ship is expected to arrive by the end of the year in time for it to be operational in early 2012.

The Government will announce further details of the transition plan for Australia’s amphibious ship capability to provide this essential capability until arrival of the Canberra Class in due course.

As an aside: Hopefully the Largs Bay will not have the same corrosion issues that its predecessors had when purchased from the US.

ADM understands that there was an engine room flood incident whilst the ship was being built and suffered an engine room fire whilst in service with the UK's Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) despite its short civilian manned service life.

Fingers crossed that the subsequent issues weren’t just painted over. Literally.

But at least there may be a chance for a local shipyard to get the vessel up to scratch in the not too distant future.