The Royal Australian Navy (RAN)'s newest ship HMAS 'Choules' has arrived at its homeport at Fleet Base East in Sydney after being formally commissioned into service in Fremantle on 13 December.
HMAS 'Choules' has a proven capability having provided humanitarian relief when she was under Royal Navy command as RFA 'Largs Bay', assisting as part of the international response to the Haiti earthquake in 2010. The RAN's acquisition of the ship will help ensure that it has the amphibious capability needed for operations and humanitarian support in the period leading up to the arrival of the RAN's landing helicopter dock ships, in 2014 and 2015.
The 176-metre long vessel has a crew of 158 officers and sailors, and can accommodate two large helicopters such as Sea Hawks and Black Hawks, 150 light trucks and 350 troops. HMAS 'Choules' also carries two mexeflotes, landing raft designed to move goods and vehicles between the ship and the shore.
HMAS 'Choules' has been named after the longest surviving veteran of World War One, Claude Choules, who passed away in Perth in April at the age of 110.
