AMC completes $60m conversion of HMAS Sirius

The $60 million conversion of a commercial chemical tanker into a naval oiler - the biggest contract ever undertaken at the Australian Marine Complex at Henderson - has been completed on budget and ahead of schedule.

The new naval vessel, HMAS Sirius, left the AMC on Friday for sea trials and would be homeported at Garden Island.

The upgrade included seven major modification packages:

• a replenishment-at-sea capability (involving masts, mechanical and electrical equipment and a control centre) to allow the Sirius to receive and distribute fuel, water and hard stores to other naval and allied vessels;
• a helicopter deck, specially designed and integrated on to the stern of the vessel - the first of its kind in the world to be completed under classification requirements;
• a container deck, capable of holding 12, 20-foot shipping containers, added to the existing cargo deck;
• installation of two upgraded Solas boats, each with a 70-man capacity, and two rigid-hull inflatable boats from HMAS Westralia; and
• a modified interior with the latest communications equipment.

The ship will replace the HMAS Westralia.