The Navy's newest
ship, Australian Defence Vessel Ocean Shield, has arrived in Australia.
The Government
announced earlier this year that it had purchased the vessel, formerly known as
Skandi Bergen, to add to the Royal Australian Navy's current amphibious
ships.
The vessel
ensures that Defence has the humanitarian and disaster relief capability
required between now and the arrival of the two new Landing Helicopter Dock
(LHD) ships in the middle of the decade.
It will primarily
be used to transport troops and supplies in support of humanitarian and
disaster relief operations domestically and in the region.
Ocean
Shield is able to operate in
sub-Antarctic weather conditions and will be able to undertake patrols in the
Southern Ocean providing surveillance, detection and apprehension of any
vessels operating illegally.
Ocean
Shield is the sister ship of
the Ocean Protector which is currently operated by Customs and Border
Protection and undertakes these patrols.
The 6,500 tonne
ship is 105m long and 21m wide.
It has accommodation for up to 100 people, more than 1000 metres of deck area,
and a helipad.
After Defence
introduces the first LHD into service, Ocean Shield will be transferred
to Customs and Border Protection to provide a long term capability for Customs
and Border Protection.
Ocean Shield will join HMAS Tobruk and HMAS Choules in providing Australia’s amphibious humanitarian and disaster relief capability.