17 July 2024
For HMAS Sydney’s crew, a replenishment at sea (RAS) is a well-practised mariner skill, but taking fuel from the German Navy was a first for the warship during Exercise Rim of the Pacific.
Known as a whole-of-ship evolution, a RAS is where a ship comes within a few hundred feet of a supply ship to take on fuel and supplies.
During the replenishment, Sydney received both marine diesel fuel and aviation fuel from Federal German Ship Frankfurt Am Main.
Sydney and the Royal Australian Navy have their own traditions when conducting a replenishment, where they play what is known as a “breakaway song” when the evolution is complete.
The breakaway song during this RAS was Men at Work’s Down Under, which showed their Australian roots while far from home.
Sydney's Commanding Officer, Commander Billy Maddison, said the opportunity to do a replenishment with the German Navy was sensational.
“Australia and Germany have been able to deepen our military-to-military relationships over recent years as they have participated in more activities in the Indo-Pacific.
“Even though this RAS was a first for us, this exercise [and] our shared common practices and procedures meant we could get it done together first time,” Commander Maddison said.
Able Seaman Terrance Suttie, who was part of the dump party – which consists of passing all the lines between ships and connecting the probe to start refuelling – said a replenishment is an enjoyable part of his role.
“It’s always good to do a RAS with other countries, as they always do things slightly differently so we get to learn how they do things,” Able Seaman Suttie said.
Another Sydney tradition during a replenishment is placing a sticker on the supply ship’s probe once disconnected, and Able Seaman Suttie was chosen for that honour.
“Being able to leave the legacy of HMAS Sydney on the German ship, especially as it was our first RAS with them, was an awesome experience,” he said.
