Full circle on Render Safe

Ten years ago, LCDRs Andrew Penfold and Sam Mairs sailed through Vanuatu waters after a mission to dispose of World War II-era munitions in the Solomon Islands.

Then a Royal Navy exchange officer, LCDR Penfold was HMAS Huon's executive officer, serving alongside the ship's diving officer, then-LEUT Sam Mairs, during Operation Render Safe 2016.

This July, the pair again sailed through Vanuatu waters on the same mission.

Only this time, they commanded their own ships.

LCDRs Penfold and Mairs are the commanding officers of HMA Ships Yarra and Diamantina, two minehunters rafted together alongside in Port Vila during Render Safe.

It marked the final stop of an almost two-month deployment that included a port visit to the Solomon Islands and diving operations in Tuvalu.

“I knew this deployment was going to be great once we both had the keys,” LCDR Mairs said.

“Render Safe means so much to the minehunter community. This deployment will be something I look back on and cherish. 

“It’s also always good being on deployment with one of your best mates.”

Along with ADV Reliant, the ships formed a task group responsible for conducting a technical reconnaissance of a lagoon in Tuvalu’s northernmost atoll.

Nanumea was the site of an Allied airbase during World War II, and explosive remnants of war remain on the lagoon seabed.

During Render Safe, ADF, Royal Solomon Islands Police Force and Tuvalu Police Service documented more than 11 tonnes of unexploded World War II-era munitions in the lagoon.

LCDR Penfold said the multinational effort to make the region safer for Pacific communities was at the heart of the operation.

“This trip has been the highlight of our time in command,” LCDR Penfold said.

“There is a lot more to Render Safe than just getting rid of bombs and bullets.

“It’s about the friendships we build with our valued partners across the South Pacific.”

Whether strengthening relationships with partner nations or strengthening lifelong friendships, the commanding officers reflected on the wealth of experiences they had gained on their first Render Safe. 

“We still talk about the places we visited and the people we met during that deployment in 2016,” LCDR Penfold said.

“It’s had a lasting impact on who we are as individuals and as leaders.

“We hope this Render Safe deployment has the same impact on our sailors and officers.”