The Pacific island nation of Vanuatu suffered a cruel blow on March 13 when Cyclone Pam struck, reportedly leaving at least 11 people dead, and about half of the country's 270,000 population homeless.
The former Anglo-French condominium, situated about 2,000 kilometres northeast of Brisbane, consists of some eighty islands, stretched out over a north-south sea area of 1,300 kilometres. The cyclone has severely affected already inadequate inter-island communications.
Within 48 hours, international relief teams were in action, having arrived in Vanuatu by air. The country's geography, though, requires the response to include a major maritime component, and regional naval forces have responded accordingly.
The Royal Australian Navy's (RAN) brand new landing platform (helicopter) 'Canberra' is obviously an ideal vessel for such disaster relief duties, but, doubtless to the frustration of both the RAN, and the Australian government, the ship is not yet sufficiently worked-up to be available for deployment.
'Tobruk' sailed for Vanuatu after the cyclone hit
Photo: Hpeterswald
On March 18, though, the 5,800-tonne landing ship heavy (LSH) 'Tobruk' sailed for Vanuatu from Townsville, where it had loaded food, water, medical supplies and vehicles. 'Tobruk', which has two helicopter flight decks, is carrying an MRH-90 Taipan helicopter, and two landing craft for ship-shore transport of emergency equipment and personnel. Furthermore, if required, the LSH can beach on remote islands, which do not have adequate berthing facilities, in order to transfer personnel and stores directly to shore.
Also on the way to the stricken island group is the Royal New Zealand Navy's (RNZN) 9,000-tonne multi-role vessel 'Canterbury'. The ship is loaded with relief stores, and is also transporting expert engineering, and public health staff to assist in the recovery effort. The ship has a well-equipped hospital facility, and an SH-2G helicopter, and two landing craft are embarked.
With a hull built by Merwede in the Netherlands, to a commercial ferry design, and subsequently fitted out by Tenix in Melbourne, 'Canterbury' is a controversial vessel. It has been held up by some analysts as a vivid example of the dangers inherent in trying to save money by building a warship to largely civilian specifications.
'Canterbury' berthed at the Devonport Naval Base
Criticisms have included relatively poor seakeeping qualities, lack of a submersible well deck, dangerously exposed sea boat, and landing craft stowage, and feeble defensive armament. As a result, some modifications have been made.
The RNZN's largest ship has nevertheless played an active role in regional humanitarian operations since commissioning in 2007, including following the Christchurch earthquake in 2011.
With copious internal storage space, a very large flight deck, capable of providing offshore support, including refuelling, for operations by large helicopters, 'Canterbury' has obvious potential as a force multiplier for the multi-national Vanuatu relief effort. The ship is therefore probably facing a prolonged deployment to the area.
The authorities in the French colony of New Caledonia, situated 500 kilometres southwest of Vanuatu, were very quick to provide a maritime response to the Vanuatu emergency. On March 19 the New Caledonia-based French Navy corvette 'Vendemiaire', laden with stores, and emergency response personnel, and carrying a pair of Alouette helicopters, arrived off the island of Tanna, in Vanuatu's southern sector, and commenced relief work.
Further assistance is being provided French maritime patrol aircraft from the colony, which are carrying out surveillance missions to assist the direction of disaster relief efforts to where they are most needed.
The maritime response to Cyclone Pam is but the latest example of the value of appropriately equipped naval forces in providing assistance to remote territories that have been hit by natural disasters.
By Trevor Hollingsbee.
