Sydney residents had a first glimpse of their city’s namesake ship with the arrival of NUSHIP Sydney at Garden Island. The last of the three Hobart Class Destroyers joining the Royal Australian Navy’s Fleet entered Sydney Heads and made her way through the harbour. NUSHIP Sydney’s Commanding Officer, Commander Edward Seymour, said the arrival of the warship was a proud moment for all involved. Sydney’s arrival into her homeport is the result of 15 months of hard work by her ship’s company and the product of years of Australian shipbuilding.
The arrival of NUSHIP Sydney comes exactly 36 years to the day that the people of Sydney saw Guided Missile Frigate HMAS Sydney (IV) arrive for the first time. This will be the fifth ship to bear the historic name ‘Sydney.’ For Petty Officer Maritime Logistics – Support Operations sailor Dion Georgopoulos, HMAS Sydney (IV) was the first Royal Australian Navy ship that he served in, and he is proud to be a commissioning crew member of Sydney (V) 19 years later.
NUSHIP Sydney was brought into harbour under a Red Ensign and delivered under the direction of civilian contracted mariners, with the ship’s company providing the personnel to operate and maintain necessary systems for safe steaming. On board were Defence personnel from Capability Acquisition and Sustainment Group, members of NUSHIP Sydney’s ship’s company, as well as contractors from Teekay and the Air Warfare Destroyer Alliance. The 147-metre warship sailed from Osborne, South Australia, where she was built by the Air Warfare Destroyer Alliance and has been undergoing sea trials before she is commissioned later this year.
