HMAS SIRIUS

In 2005, TENIX Maritime was awarded the contract to convert the recently purchased Korean built merchant tanker “DELOS” into the Royal Australian Navy’s newest Underway Replenishment Ship, to be named HMAS SIRIUS. She is a large ship at approximately 37000 tons displacement and will replace the aging HMAS WESTRALIA.

TENIX required a model of the new ship to show the changes being built into the vessel following her docking in Western Australia. She will look very different from her role as cargo tanker. SIRIUS will be fitted with two automated RAS Derricks on a new large deck fitted over the existing main deck. This will also have a large control station fitted which will control Replenishment operations. She will also have new Rigid Inflatable Boats and cranes fitted. These are fitted onto either side of a large area for the storage of shipping containers which will carry spare parts and stores for accompanying ships when on deployment far from Australia. These can be loaded by the new heavy lift crane fitted midships.

Down aft she will have a new mast fitted along with an array of new communications aerials and antennas including SATCOM. At the very stern will be fitted a large flight deck to enable SIRIUS to operate a SEAKING sized helicopter, but no hanger is fitted.

The model will go on display at TENIX Defence at their yard in Williamstown in Melbourne and at various shows around the world showing other navies what can be done to an existing merchant tanker to convert them into a reasonably low cost alternative to building a costly purpose built replenishment ship.