Tasmanian pride on show as HMAS Sheean visits state

HMAS Sheean berthed at Beauty Point in northern Tasmania at the weekend in the first of a series of port visits in the state.

CAPTION: HMAS Sheean comes alongside at Beauty Point, Tasmania, in the first of a series of port visits in the state. Photo by Leading Seaman Nadav Harel.

Navy Commander of Submarines Captain Doug Theobald said the Collins-class submarine would also visit Hobart, Burnie and Devonport in the coming months.

“This is significant for Navy and for Tasmania,” Captain Theobald said.

“Sheean’s visits fall between maritime exercises in the area and provide a rare opportunity for Tasmanians to see one of their Navy’s highly capable and regionally superior submarines.

“While there will be no public open days on the boat, our submariners will participate in socially distanced recruiting initiatives and engage in community activities.

“The submarine capability is one of the most strategically important and complex capabilities in our Defence Force.

“Port visits are an exciting opportunity for the community to gain an insight into the vital role submarines play in the security of the nation.

“These visits will be particularly poignant for Tasmanian communities, with the submarine bearing the name of Ordinary Seaman Edward ‘Teddy’ Sheean who was born in north-west Tasmania.”

The Queen posthumously awarded Ordinary Seaman Sheean the Victoria Cross in August last year for his distinguished service in action during World War II.

Commanding Officer HMAS Sheean Commander Tim Markusson said his crew had been looking forward to the Tasmanian visits, particularly those who hailed from the island state.“The crew is very proud of the name this submarine bears, and of the highly skilled work they do,” Commander Markusson said.

“We have been looking forward to sharing our unique experiences and busting some of the myths around submariner service.”

The home port of Navy’s fleet of submarines is Garden Island Rockingham, Western Australia.

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