Decommissioning of HMAS Melville: A Legacy of Service and Exploration
HMAS Melville Decommissioned in Cairns, Queensland After 24 Years of Service.
After 24 years of service in the Royal Australian Navy (RAN), HMAS Melville (A246) was decommissioned on the 8th August 2024 in Carins, Queensland. HMAS Melville was named after Melville Island, north of Darwin, NT.
HMA Ships Melville and Leeuwin were hydrographic ships built for the RAN by North Queensland Engineers and Agents in Cairns. Melville’s hydrographic survey system integrated accurate position information with data from a multi-beam echo sounder, single-beam echo sounder, towed side scan sonar, and a forward-looking sonar. Additionally, the ship carried three fully equipped 9 m motorboats for surveys in waters unsuitable for ships. The ship also had the capability to embark AS305B (Squirrel) helicopters to assist with survey operations.
Melville’s primary role was hydrographic survey operations in Australian waters and beyond. Shortly after commissioning, the ship sailed from Cairns on its first operational survey deployment in the waters off Fitzroy Island. During its first year of commissioning, Melville spent time surveying in the Torres Strait and visited ports in Brisbane and Darwin.
In late 2001, the Australian Defence Force assigned Melville to more assertive roles which involved patrolling Australia’s north seas and intercepting vessels suspected of illegal entry. The ship’s company increased from 46 to 127 members, including an Army Transport Security Element, a Squirrel helicopter and crew and boarding party personnel. Part of the new role included berthing Melville in Cairns and repainting the vessel from white to warship grey.
By the end of 2002, successive commanding offers of Melville expressed concerns about the Relex deployments negatively impacting the hydrographic surveying capabilities of the crew and the progression and maintenance of their core skills. The beginning of 2003, Melville returned to hydrographic survey work and participated in exercises such as Exercise Crocodile 2003, a mine detection exercise.
Over the course of its service, Melville visited ports throughout the Pacific region, including Auckland, Christchurch, Napier, Noumea, Alotau, Madang, Rabaul, Port Moresby, Singapore, Langkawi, Kota Kinabalu, Honiara, Surabaya, Cilacap, Dili, Nuku’alofa, and Pohnpei.
Living up to the ship’s motto “With Determination”, hundreds of RAN personnel served with determination in Melville, enabling the safe navigation of other vessels, supporting maritime trade and protecting Australia’s borders. The decommissioning reflected on HMAS Melville’s invaluable contributions to hydrographic surveying and maritime security. The dedication and skill of its crew ensured the safe navigation of countless vessels and the protection of Australia’s borders. The legacy of HMAS Melville will continue to inspire future generations of the Royal Australian Navy.
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