Description

Remedial Action

Completion of the ACPB Extended Rectification Periods.

HMAS GLENELG underwent an Extended Rectification Period in 2008 where all major build related defects were rectified. The modifications were trialled and refined during 2009 and a program is now underway to bring the remaining vessels up to the GLENELG product baseline. To date HMA Ships MARYBOROUGH, CHILDERS, ARMIDALE, LAUNCESTON, LARRAKIA, BATHURST and ALBANY have completed rectification work with the last vessel due to be completed in December 2011.

Installation of the modified fuel treatment and filtration systems.

The major cause of the original high pressure (HP) fuel pump failures was resolved by a combination of system redesign and revised operating procedures. Shrouds have been fitted to the fuel pumps to mitigate risk should a failure occur. Modified fuel oil purifier sets were trialed on three vessels and results indicated that the modifications were successful in reducing the amount of returned fuel and in preventing the shearing of excess fuel which contributed to the cloudy fuel issue. Fitment of these purifier sets to the remaining vessels has commenced. The cause of recent fuel pump failures thought to be a lack of lubrication is still being investigated. However, these failures are not related to the previously identified water in fuel problems. The OEM recently completed the installation and functional testing of a modified high pressure fuel pump and data collection equipment on HMAS MARYBOROUGH. The equipment is working as anticipated and thus far no faults have been reported.

Limitations on the use of ACPB Austere Accommodation due to Toxic Hazard.

HMAS GLENELG had exhaust system modifications implemented during the Extended Rectification Period in 2008 including modifications to the black/grey water system. A gas ingestion trial undertaken in 2009 found no traces of toxic gases and confirmed that the modifications have been successful in overcoming exhaust ingestion into the Austere Accommodation (AAC). These changes have now been completed on HMA Ships MARYBOROUGH, CHILDERS, ARMIDALE, LAUNCESTON, LARRAKIA, BATHURST and ALBANY. Modifications to the H2S and CO sensors and connection to Marinelink were also completed in all vessels. This has enabled Navy to lift the restrictions on the use of the AAC on the modified vessels.

Sea Boat Davit performance does not meet contractual requirements.

An upgrade to the hydraulic pressure piping, davit hydraulics and power pack was completed on HMAS MARYBOROUGH however test results indicated  that  the  modified  system  was  still unable to meet the contracted ship specification. Due to the ongoing failure by AUSTAL to deliver an acceptable solution, DMS has now engaged a specialist hydraulic company to carryout system redesign and modifications to HMAS BUNDABERG and will conduct their own tests to assess system performance to enable delivery of a compliant davit hydraulic system.

A range of evaluations conducted on the ACPB training delivered by the contractor have consistently highlighted that the training management regime does not satisfy the ACPB contract with Defence.

DMS continues to make steady progress with the remediation of the deficiencies identified in ACPB training. Revised curriculum for all courses has been delivered and is under review by the Training Authorities. DMS has engaged a new trainer who will take on responsibility for maintenance of the ACPB course material and will provide a level of redundancy to the five RAN trainers.