HMAS Sirius (O 266)

HMAS "Sirius" (O 266) (formerly MT "Delos") is a commercial tanker purchased by the Royal Australian Navy and converted into a fleet replenishment vessel to replace HMAS "Westralia".

Construction and acquisition

"Delos" was built at Hyundai Mipo Dockyard in South Korea. She was launched on 12 April 2004, and was purchased by the Australian Government on 16 June 2004, following completion. "Delos" was converted to her new role at Fremantle and was commissioned into the RAN on 16 September 2006. "Sirius" is expected to remain in service for approximately 15 years.

Originally, the RAN planned to have a ship specially constructed for the role.cite web |url=http://au.news.yahoo.com/080221/2/15woj.html |title=Defence told to find millions in savings |accessdate=2008-02-27 |author=Australian Associated Press |date=2008-02-26] The decision to instead purchase an under-construction civilian tanker and modify her for military service allowed "Sirius" to enter service three years before originally planned, at a saving of half the acquisition project's cost.

While HMAS "Sirius" is the first ship of this name to serve as part of the RAN, she is named in honour of HMS "Sirius", the flagship of the First Fleet of British convicts sent to Australia in 1788. HMS "Sirius" was wrecked off Norfolk Island on 14 April 1790. [cite web |publisher=Royal Australian Navy |title=HMAS Sirius |url=http://www.navy.gov.au/HMAS_Sirius |accessdate=2008-09-13]

Operational history

In October 2006, "Sirius" successfully undertook her first Replenishment at Sea; transferring fuel and water supplies to HMAS "Toowoomba". The ship completed working up and passed her first Unit Readiness Evaluation on 12 December 2006.

In June 2007 she participated in Exercise Talisman Sabre 2007.

References

*Defence Materiel Organisation [http://www.defence.gov.au/dmo/lsp/Maritime_Operations.cfm Maritime Operations Support Capability]
*Australian National Audit Office [http://www.anao.gov.au/uploads/documents/2006-07_Audit_Report_20.pdf Purchase, Chartering and Modification of the New Fleet Oiler]