NUSHIP Sydney Joined in Garden Island Naval Base

01 April 2020

HMAS Sydney DDG-42 ( all photos : Aus DoD)

NUSHIP Sydney arrives in her home port

Sydney residents had a first glimpse of their city’s namesake ship with the arrival of NUSHIP Sydney at Garden Island today.

The last of the three Hobart Class Destroyers joining the Royal Australian Navy’s Fleet entered Sydney Heads and made her way through the harbour.

NUSHIP Sydney’s Commanding Officer, Commander Edward Seymour, said the arrival of the warship was a proud moment for all involved.

“Sydney’s arrival into her homeport is the result of 15 months of hard work by her ship’s company and the product of years of Australian shipbuilding,” Commander Seymour said.

“The Hobart Class Destroyer is the most lethal warship operated by the Royal Australian Navy and will provide capability including air defence to task groups as well as land forces and coastal infrastructure,” he said.

The arrival of NUSHIP Sydney comes exactly 36 years to the day that the people of Sydney saw Guided Missile Frigate HMAS Sydney (IV) arrive for the first time.

This will be the fifth ship to bear the historic name ‘Sydney.’

For Petty Officer Maritime Logistics – Support Operations sailor Dion Georgopoulos, HMAS Sydney (IV) was the first Royal Australian Navy ship that he served in, and he is proud to be a commissioning crew member of Sydney (V) 19 years later.

“It is a surreal feeling knowing that this is probably the beginning of a new legacy where thousands of sailors for years to come will have the privilege of being Sydney crew.”

NUSHIP Sydney was brought into harbour under a Red Ensign and delivered under the direction of civilian contracted mariners, with the ship’s company providing the personnel to operate and maintain necessary systems for safe steaming.

On board were Defence personnel from Capability Acquisition and Sustainment Group, members of NUSHIP Sydney’s ship’s company, as well as contractors from Teekay and the Air Warfare Destroyer Alliance.

One of the Navy personnel on board was Leading Seaman Naval Police Coxswain Sue Rochford, who has been looking forward to this moment for over 12 months.

“I’m over the moon, I’m so excited. This is the posting of my career. I’m pretty proud to be part of this historic occasion of driving the ship into Sydney for the first time,” Leading Seaman Rochford said.

The 147-metre warship sailed from Osborne, South Australia, where she was built by the Air Warfare Destroyer Alliance and has been undergoing sea trials before she is commissioned later this year.

(RAN)