HMAS Stuart (FFH 153)

HMAS "Stuart" (FFH 153) is an "Anzac" class frigate of the Royal Australian Navy.

Construction

"Stuart" was laid down by Tenix Defence Systems at Williamstown in Victoria on 25 July 1998, launched on 17 April 1999 by Mrs. Maxine Barrie, the wife of Admiral Chris Barrie, the Chief of the Defence Force and commissioned on 24 August 2002.

The ship is named after the first HMAS "Stuart", which was a Royal Navy destroyer named after the Scottish Royal House of Stuart and loaned to the RAN in 1933.

Operational History

In April 2003, "Stuart" sailed on short notice to assist the Australian Federal Police apprehend the North Korean registered vessel "Pong Su" which was suspected in being involved in drug smuggling operations. "Stuart" left port at the beginning of the Easter long weekend and carried a Seahawk from 816 Squadron RAN and a detachment of SAS personnel. The boarding of "Pong Su" was conducted successfully and the vessel was escorted back to Sydney. The operation was unofficially known as 'Operation Tartan'.Fact|date=September 2008

In 2004, "Stuart" deployed to the Persian Gulf on active service contributing to Operation Catalyst, Australia's military contribution to the rehabilitation and reconstruction of Iraq.Fact|date=September 2008

In February 2006, fire broke out about the HMNZS "Te Mana", "Stuart"’s sister ship, during an exercise off the coast of Australia. "Te Mana"’s Seasprite helicopter was diverted to "Stuart", while the fire was put out by the crew. [cite web |title=Sailors fought fire at sea on Anzac warship |url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/topic/story.cfm?c_id=123&objectid=10374640 |date=27 March 2006 |work=The New Zealand Herald |accessdate=2008-05-13]

References