The Royal Australian Navy's new Auxiliary Oiler Replenishment ship, NUSHIP Supply, has arrived at its homeport in Sydney Harbour.
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NUSHIP Supply crew waved when passing the ship's ceremonial home port of Eden on Thursday, with Captain Ben Hissink later sharing a video saying he was eager to return later in the year and show off the vessel to the Bega Valley.
NUSHIP Supply is one of two new Auxiliary Oiler Replenishment ships that will provide combat and logistics support to the Royal Australian Navy's fleet, replacing HMA Ships Success and Sirius.
Minister for Defence, Senator Linda Reynolds said Supply will provide enhanced logistics to the Navy for decades to come.
"The arrival of Supply into Sydney Harbour [on Friday] marks the beginning of a new capability for the Royal Australian Navy, one that will extend the endurance and operational range of Australia's entire naval fleet," Minister Reynolds said.
"This is the second ship of the Royal Australian Navy to carry the name Supply. The first HMAS Supply has a long list of achievements and honours, including providing disaster relief in North Australia following Cyclone Tracy in 1970.
"The two new Supply class ships are part of the Morrison Government's largest regeneration of the Navy since the Second World War through our up to $183 billion Naval Shipbuilding Plan."
The Supply class Auxiliary Oiler Replenishment ships will carry fuel, dry cargo, water, food, ammunition, equipment and spare parts to provide operational support to deployed naval or combat forces that are based far from ports for long periods.
Crew from NUSHIP Supply visited the Bega Valley recently and took part in a number of community events including re-fencing efforts around Cobargo and Eden.
Crew members joined forces with BlazeAid in Cobargo to help with fencing efforts during the visit, while a new boundary was also installed at the Eden Cricket Ground.
Crew members said both were important projects as the cricket ground had also served as an evacuation centre for thousands of tourists stranded during the Black Summer bushfires.
Crews also joined with local sporting groups for a series of friendly events that included netball, touch football, golf and lawn bowls.
Like HMAS Adelaide provided bushfire relief efforts last year, Senator Reynolds said NUSHIP Supply had similar capacity for operations. "The vessels can be used to combat against environmental pollution at sea, provide logistics support and to support humanitarian and disaster relief operations."
