RAN patrol vessel HMAS Bundaberg DESTROYED in massive drydock fire

[CougarKing]

HMAS Bundaberg destroyed in massive fire at Hemmant, Brisbane, dry-dock
|

August 12, 2014

A $54 million navy patrol boat used in Australian border protection operations was destroyed in a massive fire in Brisbane’s east yesterday.

The HMAS Bundaberg had been dry-docked in the shed for routine repair and maintenance work when the blaze broke out around 11.45am in Hemmant. ...

Queensland Fire and Emergency Service assistant commissioner John Watson said around 50 fire fighters were on scene using specialist equipment to pump water onto the Armidale-class patrol boat.

The fire broke out 10 metres from the rear of the vessel and flames up to 8 metres high could be seen lashing the boat.

According to Mr Watson the vessel was extremely difficult for fire fighters to enter.

“A fire in an aluminium vessel is very difficult to get at and ships by their nature are well sealed so getting a firefighter in there is very difficult,” Mr Watson said.

While the cause of the blaze is yet to be determined, those on the ground believed a welding incident may have been to blame.

(...EDITED)

Source: The Australian

 

[Tibbson]

Pretty sharp looking ship actually. 

 

[Pusser]

Pretty sharp looking ship actually.

Not so much anymore...

Never saw that on Sea Patrol.

 

[dimsum]

Bundaberg (Bundy) is also a brand of really crappy rum made in that area.  There's already a meme involving that pic and "This is how I like my Bundy."

 

[Edward Campbell]

Pretty sharp looking ship actually.

She seems to fit between our Kingston and Orca classes

 

 

                  HMCS Brandon                                                    HMAS Bundaberg                                                            PTC Orca

Length:            181.43 ft                                                                      186 ft                                                                        108 ft
Displacement: 970 tons                                                                      300 tons                                                                  210 tons
Speed:           15 knots                                                                      25 knots                                                                    20 knots
Range:              5,000 nautical miles                                                      3,000 nautical miles                                                  660 nautical miles

 

[dimsum]

She seems to fit between our Kingston and Orca classes

 

 

                  HMCS Brandon                                                    HMAS Bundaberg                                                            PTC Orca

Length:            181.43 ft                                                                      186 ft                                                                        108 ft
Displacement: 970 tons                                                                      300 tons                                                                  210 tons
Speed:           15 knots                                                                      25 knots                                                                    20 knots
Range:              5,000 nautical miles                                                      3,000 nautical miles                                                  660 nautical miles

Yes, and used for much of the same tasks as the MCDVs except for MARS training.  They have been busy with Northern patrols based out of Darwin, a port in WA and Cairns.

 

[Oldgateboatdriver]

I don't know where you get the "same mission".

The Armidales have no mine warfare capability whatsoever - something the Aussies have dedicated MCM vessels for-, and contrary to MCDV's, they have no ops room either.

Their main task is border protection, i.e. intercepting ships/boats of illegal immigrants and drugs coming into Australia, plus support for fisheries protection in their EEZ. I was not aware that this had become the main task of the MCDV's.

P.s.: They are operated by their regular force.

 

[Colin Parkinson]

Let me guess, "welding was taking place"

This is the price you pay for using aluminum. Hopefully the lessons learned about how the fire behaved can improve their damage control procedures at sea.

 

[GreenMarine]

At 24-28 Million each to build depending on the damages I can see total refit being an option.  I wonder how they would do in colder waters or would these be Pacific only vessels.

 

[Colin Parkinson]

The problem with fast patrol boats is they give up strength for speed. Cracking in the USCG Island class is an example. They also make generally miserable longterm patrol vessels for the crews when away from base for a long time. With only 1 active navy base in BC, there will not be a lot of places to put them as a fast responder, plus few countries have to deal with the size and type of debris out here, many a fast boat designer has been humbled by 50' Douglas fir logs floating around.

If Prince Rupert gets even 2 of the 5 planned LNG terminals and Kitimat gets KMLNG and Northern Gateway. I could see an argument for a naval reserve station in PR with an Orca or even a CB90, manned with a mix of regs and reserves. Otherwise part time basing a Kingston out of the Seal Cove CCG base is an option as well. Only Canada would have that much volatile infrastructure with no real security force nearby.