HMAS Warramunga, continued her patrolling in the North West Shelf region and took the opportunity to undertake a modern adaptation of the traditional ships “bunkering”.
“Bunkering” which was traditionally the taking on and storage of coal is the term still used when accepting fuel while not underway.
With the coast line of the Port of Dampier on the horizon Warramunga manouvered into position with support from the Port of Dampier tugs Fitzroy Star and Harrietta.
Warramunga utilised the local Caltex refueler Bro Nakskov to “top up” while continuing its presence patrol activity testing communications, procedures and protocols with offshore oil and gas installations.
These patrols highlight the strategic importance of the region to Australia as a Nation and form part of Australian Government’s maritime security framework to safeguard Australia’s off-shore facilities.
[mappress] Press Release, September 25, 2013; Image: Australian Navy