Sydney reunites with Kiwi counterparts

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Three people on the flight deck of a ship are silhouetted by the sun as a helicopter hoists a large box over the sea towards the deck.
LS Samuel Speakman ushers an HMNZS Aotearoa helicopter onto the flight deck of HMAS Sydney during a vertical replenishment in the South China Sea. Photo: LSIS Lauren Pugsley
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HMAS Sydney recently rendezvoused with HMNZ Ships Aotearoa and Te Mana in the South China Sea, replenishing fuel and stores before continuing her regional presence deployment through the Indo-Pacific region.

Having sailed together to Hawaii in June for Exercise Rim of the Pacific, Sydney was back in company with her New Zealand counterparts to conduct a replenishment.

In the 15th replenishment activity of the deployment, Sydney conducted an underway replenishment at sea (RAS) and vertical transfer (VERTREP) by helicopter.

Sydney’s navigating officer LEUT Mollie Burns highlighted the importance of replenishing at sea.

“Over the deployment we have replenished fuel, water, stores and victuals with supply ships from New Zealand, Canada and the United States, extending our endurance while remaining underway,” LEUT Burns said.

“On this occasion, we conducted a dual replenishment with Te Mana also refuelling, before closing up flying stations to receive stores by helicopter.”

Sydney replenishes fuel and water via a spanwire connected between the two ships, or stores via a jackstay between the ships.

Ships sail in close formation throughout, with bridge, seamanship and engineering teams closed up at their stations.

Four people stand near the rail of a ship, facing out towards another ship, three of them holding a line in both hands.
Members of HMAS Sydney monitor the distance line during a replenishment at sea with HMNZS Aotearoa during transit through the South China Sea. Photo: LSIS Lauren Pugsley

Stores can also be transferred by helicopter, with Aotearoa’s Seasprite delivering required supplies to Sydney.

“Today was our eighth replenishment with Aotearoa and it is excellent to operate with the Royal New Zealand Navy and catch up with some of our Kiwi mates,” LEUT Burns said.

“Between replenishments, exercises and cross-deck personnel exchanges, it is a good opportunity to say hello after time at sea.

“Every meeting is accompanied by the exchange of letters, coins and treats, which is always a highlight.”

New Zealand and Australia have worked side by side in times of peace and war for more than a century.

LEUT Burns said the close relationship between the ships’ crews included frequent activities, training courses and exchange postings.

“It was special to sail alongside the navigator of Aotearoa, who I previously served as an officer of the watch with on HMAS Melbourne,” she said.

CO Sydney CMDR Hayden Jenkins said the replenishment provided a valuable opportunity to further enhance interoperability with New Zealand.

“The opportunity to work with our New Zealand counterparts in the South China Sea has enabled Sydney to demonstrate our interoperability while maintaining presence across the Indo-Pacific,” CMDR Jenkins said.

“This activity ensured shared situational awareness, assured logistics and the continued refinement of operating procedures.

“Working alongside our allies and partners enables Sydney to demonstrate the ship’s professionalism, ongoing preparedness and focus on maritime security across the Indo-Pacific.”

See more images from the RAS.

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