Navy evacuates weather bureau staff in heavy seas

Four Bureau of Meteorology personnel have escaped Severe Tropical Cyclone Jasper and are safely ashore in Sydney after being evacuated from a remote offshore weather station by a Navy warship.

CAPTION: Leading Seaman Matthew Parry escorts Liam Glackin from HMAS Brisbane’s embarked MH-60R helicopter while conducting an evacuation from Willis Island off the coast of Queensland. Story by Lieutenant Commander Andrew Herring.

The guided missile destroyer HMAS Brisbane was operating in the Coral Sea during the evening of Friday, December 8 when it was diverted north towards the weather station on Willis Island, located about 480 kilometres east of Cape Tribulation in far-north Queensland and directly in the path of the approaching cyclone.

After closing the distance overnight, Brisbane commenced the evacuation after first light on Saturday, December 9, deploying its embarked MH-60R Seahawk helicopter to evacuate all four bureau staff from the small, exposed sand island in four flights.

Brisbane’s ship’s company and flight crew had to contend with heavy seas brought on by the storm, with three metre waves, sustained 25 knot (46 km/h) winds and sea spray showering the front of the ship as it cleaved through the swell while repeatedly launching and recovering the helicopter.

All four evacuees were safely off the island and aboard the destroyer by around 7.30am local time before Brisbane turned southward away from the worsening conditions.

CAPTION: From left, Nicholas Cox, William Tom, Liam Glackin and Alison Johnstone are welcomed on board HMAS Brisbane by Commander Bernard Dobson after their evacuation from Willis Island off the coast of Queensland.

Brisbane’s flight commander, Lieutenant Commander Matthew Urquhart, said the operation was not without its risks.

“There were some extreme challenges with this evacuation, most notably the weather, however this is why we train.

“The whole flight team was responsive and we successfully executed the mission,” Lieutenant Commander Urquhart said.

“We were just happy to get ahead of the cyclone.”

The weather presented similar challenges for those on the ship but operations officer Lieutenant Kyle Livingstone considered it all in a day’s work for team Brisbane.

“Responding to emergencies is part of our job in the Navy,” Lieutenant Livingstone said.

“Once we received our tasking, HMAS Brisbane was able to quickly set up to conduct the evacuation.

“The weather conditions presented a challenge, but the skills and training of our people allowed us to safely conduct the evacuation before the weather conditions got any worse.”

Commanding Officer HMAS Brisbane Commander Bernard Dobson was proud of how his whole ship’s company responded in the face of danger

“Mariners will go to great lengths to preserve safety of life at sea” Commander Dobson said.

“We had no issues turning towards danger if it meant evacuating our fellow Australians from a tight spot.

“I am proud of my team for their quick response and the professional execution of the mission,.

“With Severe Tropical Cyclone Jasper behind us, Brisbane was returning from a successful deployment in north-east Asia, despite the challenging weather conditions and rough seas we made the call early to turn back towards the cyclone and get in and out as quickly and safely as possible.

“It has been pretty rough so we were pleased to again get ahead of the storm and be pointed for home.”

None were more relieved than the four Bureau of Meteorology evacuees, who have since been adjusting to life at sea as guests aboard Brisbane.

“We are all extremely grateful for all of the crew,” Meteorologist William Tom said.

CAPTION: HMAS Brisbane’s embarked MH-60R helicopter approaches Willis Island off the coast of Queensland in support of an evacuation of Bureau of Meteorology staff.

“Waiting out Severe Tropical Cyclone Jasper on Willis Island was not something we wanted to take a chance on.”

Bureau colleague Nicholas Cox was equally grateful, but struggling to find his sea legs.

“It sounds clichéd, but the food on board is really good.

“The movement of the ship though … I’m not too sure how the crew deals with this much movement,” he said.

The Willis Island evacuees disembarked Brisbane at Fleet Base East, Sydney during the morning of Tuesday, December 12.

Brisbane was returning from a three-month Indo-Pacific regional presence deployment, during which the ship participated in training, exercises and other engagements with Australia’s regional partners, along with HMA Ships Stalwart and Toowoomba.

 

 

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