HMAS Success and her Boarding Team came to the rescue of a local cargo dhow in the Middle East on 10 February after responding to a distress call and finding the vessel taking on water.
Technical experts amongst the Boarding Party determined that sea water was flooding into the dhow’s bilge, but they couldn’t get to the source of the leak.
Success’ Clearance Divers carried out emergency repairs to the dhow’s hull below the waterline.
Able Seaman Clearance Diver (ABCD) Daniel Lavermicocca said:
With the shadow cast by the dhow’s hull as the vessel rolled in the swell of at least 3-4 metres, it took two dives to locate the source of the leak.
Success’ divers undertook repairs in challenging environmental conditions, and plugged and sealed the hole.
While conducting operations under Combined Maritime Forces (CMF), the ships and their helicopters are busy searching, identifying, approaching and boarding suspicious vessels. CMF vessels regularly find themselves assisting mariners in distress and providing assistance in these extremely busy waterways.
Image: CMF