Latest Mackay Seaport News

Melbourne crew enjoys a break in Mackay

The HMAS Melbourne left Mackay this morning
bound for Brisbane.

HMAS Melbourne steamed out of Mackay this morning after its 200-strong crew enjoyed four days of R and R in the sugar city.

HMAS Melbourne is one of the Royal Australian Navy's six guided missile frigates. The ship is a long-range escort capable of area air defense, surface and undersea warfare, surveillance, reconnaissance and interdiction. The ship can counter simultaneous threats from aircraft, surface vessels and submarines.

The crew receives berthing instructions
on arrival in Mackay on Friday.



Melbourne and her five sister ships were the first RAN ships to be powered by gas turbines. This, combined with a modern repair by replacement policy, has allowed a reduced complement and a high availability for sea duty. In addition, two forward mounted retractable auxiliary propulsion units provide a secondary means of propulsion plus excellent maneuverability in confined waters.

The ship is also equipped with a sophisticated computer-based command and control system and a comprehensive sensor package including the Mulloka medium range sonar for submarine detection.

Melbourne is the lead ship for the Nulka Active Missile Decoy System, designed and manufactured in Australia in collaboration with the United States. Aboriginal for 'Be Quick', Nulka is an expendable decoy, which uses a unique hovering rocket to protect RAN ships against advanced anti-ship missiles.

Melbourne deployed to the Arabian Gulf during 2002 as part of the Multinational Interception Force (MIF) enforcing United Nation's sanctions against Iraq.

Two former RAN warships have carried the name Melbourne: a light cruiser 1913-1928 and an aircraft carrier 1955-1982. The ship's motto, ' VIRES ACQUIRIT EUNDO ', translates as 'She Gathers Strength as She Goes'.

About the HMAS Melbourne

Launched: 5 May 1989
Commissioned: February 15, 1992
Displacement: 4100 tonnes
Length: 138.1 metres
Beam: 14.3 metres
Armament: 76mm rapid-fire gun. Harpoon anti-ship missiles. Standard surface to air missiles.
Mk 92 Fire Control System Vulcan Phalanx close in weapons system
Two triple anti-submarine torpedo tubes for Mk 32 torpedoes.
Main Machinery: Two General Electric LM2500 gas turbines driving a single controllable pitch propeller
Speed: More than 30 knots
Ships Company: 221
Aircraft: Up to two Seahawk helicopters