David Johnston (WA, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Defence) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

asked the Minister representing the Minister for Defence, upon notice, on 20 August 2012:

For the period 1 January to 30 June 2012:

(1) Which Naval vessels were fully operational with a full crew complement?

(2) Which Naval vessels were not fully operationally ready for immediate tasking?

(3) For each Naval vessel that was non-operationally ready, what was the reason for its non-operational status?

(4) What were the operational strengths on all Naval vessels of the: (a) engineering offices and sailors: and (b) non-engineering officers and sailors?

Bob Carr (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Minister for Defence has provided the following answer to the honourable senator's question:

Major Surface Combatants and Amphibious Ships:

(1) to (3) During the period 01 January to 30 June 2012 the operational availability status of Surface Force naval vessels is summarised in the attached table.

(4) Excluding HMA Ships Stuart and Arunta, which remained alongside Fleet Base West de-crewed and at Extended Readiness, the operational manning strengths in the Navy's crewed Surface Force vessels during the period were as follows:

Ninety eight per cent crewed with engineering officers and ninety six per cent crewed with engineer sailors. The majority of engineering sailor shortfalls relate to Marine Technician-Electrical (MTE) sailors; and

Ninety two per cent crewed with non-engineering officers and Ninety per cent crewed with non-engineer sailors.

Submarines:

(1) to (3) During the period 1 January to 30 June 2012 the operational availability status of Submarine Force vessels is summarised in the attached table.

(4) The operational manning strengths in the Navy's Submarine Force during the period were:

(a) One hundred per cent crewed with engineer officers and Ninety Two percent crewed with engineer sailors; and

(b) Ninety One per cent crewed with non-engineer officers and Ninety percent crewed with non-engineer sailors.

Mine Hunting and Clearance Diving Group:

(1) to (3) During the period 1 January to 30 June 2012 the operational availability status of Mine Hunting and Clearance Diving Force is summarised in the table below.

(4) The operational manning strengths in the Navy's Mine Hunting Force vessels (with the exception of Hawkesbury and Norman in Extended Readiness Availability) during the period were:

(a) Manning for all MCM platforms was commensurate with tasking requirements. Mine Hunters were 99% crewed with engineering officers (roles are performed by Chief Petty Officer Marine Technicians borne as Senior Technical Officers) and 99% crewed with Engineering Sailors, including utilising operational relief sailors to fill personnel deficiencies due to illness, mandatory courses and leave. The Engineering Department consists of both Mechanical and Electrical Technicians; the majority of Engineering manning shortfalls came from the Electrical Technician Branch. One MSA crew (technical and non-technical sailors) was re-formed on 27 Feb 12 in order to conduct planned maintenance of both vessels, as well as two weeks of continuation training at sea.

(b) Non-Engineering billets were manned with 98% skill set required to achieve necessary tasks.

Hydrographic Group:

(1) to (3) During the period 01 January to 30 June 2012 the operational availability status of Hydrographic Forces was:

(4) The operational manning strengths in the Navy's Hydrographic vessels during the period were:

(a) Hydrographic units were 100% crewed with Engineer Officers and 99% crewed with Engineer Sailors.

(b) Hydrographic units were 100% crewed with non-Engineer Officers and 100% crewed with non-Engineer Sailors.

Patrol Boat Group:

(1) to (3) During the period 01 January to 30 June 2012 the operational availability status of Patrol Boat Force vessels was:

(4) The operational manning strength in the Navy's Patrol Boat Force during the period was:

(a) 99 per cent1 crewed with engineer officers and 93 per cent crewed with engineer sailors; and

(b) 97 per cent crewed with non-engineer officers and 93 per cent crewed with non-engineer sailors.