HMAS Success fuelling ITS Andrea Doria
HMAS Success fuelling ITS Andrea Doria

The Royal Australian Navy’s oiler and replenishment ship HMAS Success has been very busy lately, not only delivering vital fuel and other goods to warships operating in the Middle East, but also delivering key operational effects under the Canadian-led Combined Task Force 150 (CTF-150).

Captain Nick Stoker from the Royal Australian Navy is currently the Deputy Commander of CTF-150. He said:

“Multi role, highly capable ships such as HMAS Success can undertake a wide range of missions with great efficiency and flexibility.”

He added:

“For example, HMAS Success has provided outstanding support to counter-terrorism operations while continuing to deliver in her primary role as a replenishment oiler for Task Force 53. She has boarded six vessels in just six hours recently. CTF-150 is privileged to have her support. Her flexibility and willingness to operate across both task forces is testament to her crew members and their abilities.”

A Boarding Team member from HMAS Success meets a local mariner on a fishing dhow on one of six boarding operations conducted successfully in the Gulf of Oman. Positive maritime engagements continue to develop Combined Maritime Forces’ relationship with mariners in the region.
A Boarding Team member from HMAS Success meets a local mariner on a fishing dhow on one of six boarding operations conducted successfully in the Gulf of Oman. Positive maritime engagements continue to develop Combined Maritime Forces’ relationship with mariners in the region.

HMAS Success is patrolling the Middle East’s busiest waterways in support of maritime security operations. The ship helps to ensure security, safety and freedom of navigation for commercial shipping in international waters, as well as building positive relations with local fishermen and merchants, developing CTF-150’s understanding of the maritime environment in the region.

HMAS Success has provided outstanding support to counter-terrorism operations alongside her primary role as a replenishment oiler under Task Force 53 She recently boarded six vessels in less than six hours
HMAS Success has provided outstanding support to counter-terrorism operations alongside her primary role as a replenishment oiler under Task Force 53
She recently boarded six vessels in less than six hours

Captain Justin Jones Royal Australian Navy, the Commanding Officer of HMAS Success, said:

“These are very interesting times for my ship and crew, who are demonstrating their adaptability to changing demands. It is not unusual to have a fuel transfer to a CMF ship in the morning and a flag verification boarding in the afternoon. Our team is ready for any eventuality and is delighted to work with different task forces.”

HMAS Success is contributing to CTF-150’s focused efforts to intensify maritime security and counter-terrorism operations in order to deter and disrupt terrorist organisations from making illicit uses the seas to conceal their movements and funding. Alongside Australia, ships and aircraft from France, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States are contributing to Canadian-led CTF-150’s mission to promote a lawful and stable maritime environment free from terrorism, smuggling and other illegal activities across an area of two million square miles, covering the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, Arabian Sea, Indian Ocean and Gulf of Oman.