It was Friday, 17 June 2022 at Norship’s shipyard in Cairns – actually Portsmouth just south of HMAS CAIRNS, the HQ of the Australian Navy in the FNQ.
Experience, B368, had just been given a makeover in the Norship yard and and was scheduled to be launched at 1230 on Friday.
The work as scheduled was duly completed and Tom made peace with the Norship office by paying the bill, a requirement by Norship prior to launching, which is understandable.
At 1230 the big lifter turned up and Experience was hoisted into the harness (load approx. 19ton). She was then transported from the Norship eastern yard across the roadway to the west yard where all the Navy boats were being serviced. As the ‘all clear’ was given by the transporter operator, Experience was gently lowered into the water.
After a quick check for water leaks, the OK was given to start to motor.
As usual, our Yanmar motor started immediately, and was left idling while preparations were made to guide Experience out of the launch area into the main stream where the current was flowing at about 6 knots. As we exited, the stern immediately swung to starboard (downstream) and the bow was swinging to port. The Norship crew maintained their lines securely and Experience exited gracefully.
Power was applied to the motor and the boat surged forward, but almost instantly the motor started coughing, and finally stopped. However Experience was caught in the current and had no where to go!
It looked initially as though Experience’s stern was going to hit the Australian navy boat HMAS CHILDERS. The navy crew could see we were in trouble and soon calls were made by them to throw a line. Experience tried to comply. A line was successfully secured to the bow and Experience was brought safely to the stern of HMAS CHILDERS.
I am inserting an aside here to explain that the 6 knot current was carrying Experience into the side of a large barge which was moored bow to the bank. As we realised later, is Experience had hit the barge it was likely that the force of the current would have caused it to roll and possibly end up on its side under the barge – quite possibly Don C and T O’D would have drowned.
Fortunately, by the very prompt action of the HMAS CHILDERS crew Experience was saved from any damage and was eventually secured to the port side of our navy helper. Those crew on HMAS CHILDERS, both male and female, were so good and knew exactly what to do. By this time Troy Lum and Lew Whelan of Norship had joined us.
Now for the analysis. Both Troy and Les went below to inspect the engine. They emerged looking very disturbed. when asked how to explain they said they had found two fuel connectors going nowhere! Apparently during the scheduled engine service, ‘the mechanic had disconnect the priming pump’ and advised no one of his action!!!
We all gave thanks to the Australian Navy.
Tom O’Donoghue
