HMAS Benalla and HMAS Shepparton decommissioned in Cairns ceremony

The Royal Australian Navy’s oldest serving ships have made their final berth at HMAS Cairns after a combined 60 years of service charting the shallow waters of Australia’s north.

The Royal Australian Navy’s oldest serving ships have made their final berth at HMAS Cairns after a combined 60 years of service charting the shallow, and sometimes treacherous waters of Australia’s north.

The 36.6m vessels HMAS Benalla and the ‘First Lady of The Fleet’ – the oldest serving vessel in the Australian Navy – HMAS Shepparton, were decommissioned in ceremony at the Cairns Naval facility on Monday.

HMAS Benalla's final trip saw the crew travel around Fitzroy Island for a BBQ and a chance for reflection on time shared on the Hydrographic vessel. Photo: Dylan Nicholson

HMAS Shepparton also held the honour of being the first vessel in the Australian Navy to be commanded by a female officer, Jenny Daetz in 1997.

Former commanding officer of HMAS Shepparton Lieutenant Commander Adrian Eddy said it was an honour to command the vessel and it was bittersweet to see her go.

“The first time I took her out as a captain was both a scary and heartfelt moment,” he said.

“To be trusted with people’s lives as well as a multimillion-dollar asset to take care of, the weight of responsibility is very real once you cast off and head out to sea.”

The two ships are the final Paluma-class hydrographic survey ships to end their service.

The decommissioning is part of a steady fleet renewal process which will see the old ladies of the fleet make way for more advanced survey capability.

The two vessels will be demilitarised and later offered for sale.

The crew of both vessels took one final trip around Fitzroy Island for a BBQ and a chance to share memories they had made while serving together.

HMAS Benalla was greeted by salutes from tugboats and those of the sailors who had served on her deck throughout its service. Photo: Dylan Nicholson

“It's a very emotional day especially as it will be the last day out at sea for many for quite a while and there has been hundreds who have served on these two vessels,” Commanding officer of HMAS Benalla Mick Casey said.

HMAS Shepparton and HMAS Benalla generally operated in pairs, and were designed for hydrographic survey operations in the shallow waters of Northern Australia.

HMAS Shepparton Commanding Officer Benjamin Stevenson on-board HMAS Benalla Picture: Dylan Nicholson

Commanding Officer of HMAS Shepparton, Lieutenant Commander Benjamin Stevenson said

the hydrographic ships play a major role in ensuring all craft are able to enjoy the ocean safely.

“We improve nautical charts up and down the coast which help improve safety for leisure boats as well as commercial vessels.”

Originally published as HMAS Benalla and HMAS Shepparton decommissioned in Cairns ceremony