Two of the Royal Australian Navy's coastal hydrographic survey ships have recently returned to the homeport of Cairns having completed a survey of Papua New Guinea's Dawson Strait.
The two ships, named 'Mermaid' and 'Paluma', commenced survey work in August to assist mariners in the safe passage and navigation of the region. The information gathered will determine under-keel clearances for merchant and tourism vessels which will later be transformed into charts by the Australian Hydrographic Office in Wollongong, New South Wales.
Commanding Officer of HMAS 'Mermaid', Lieutenant Commander Sara Lambden, says the information will be a valuable tool for mariners.
"During our survey we conducted soundings and collected data along the coastline. The information will be made into charts which will provide mariners with confidence to travel in the region and will hopefully help to increase tourism and trade," said LCDR Lambden.
"During deployment we also had significant interaction with the local communities, explaining the variety of instruments and gauges we deploy and reassured them that the equipment would cause no harm to the area."
The 'Mermaid' and 'Paluma' are two of four Paluma-class survey motor launches (SML) operated by the Royal Australian Navy. The 360-tonne ships are based in Cairns and are highly suited to coastal and shallow water survey – of which forms a major component of the Australian national charting requirement.
