HMAS Adelaide: Disaster as Australia’s largest ship ‘stranded’

Defence confirmed on Monday evening that the HMAS Adelaide experienced a “power outage” that reportedly left the navy’s biggest warship “stranded” while on an aid mission delivering supplies to Tonga after this month’s devastating volcanic eruption and tsunami.

In a statement, the Australian government insisted back-up power had been activated “to restore essential systems” after technicians spent days attempting to “get us operational again”, an email sent to the ABC by HMAS Adelaide’s commander said.

Sources on board the ship told the publication the ship had earlier been “stranded” due to a “total power failure” — including the back up.

A number of crew were also reportedly sleeping on the ship’s deck, with the ABC’s defence correspondent Andrew Greene reporting the “environment has been uncomfortable”.

The ship’s exact position is currently unclear but departed from Brisbane, arriving in Tonga last week.

It comes less than a week after the ship was hit with a major outbreak of Covid-19.

The ship’s arrival was delayed after 23 staff aboard HMAS Adelaide tested positive to Covid-19.

Independent Senator for South Australia Rex Patrick said the failure should be of “considerable concern”.

“Warships cost a lot of money because, in battle, they’re not supposed to have a single a point of failure,” he said.

“Redundancy is built in bow-to-stern and port-to-starboard. HMAS Adelaide’s “total power failure” is therefore of considerable concern.”

Defence fired back, citing “a number of incorrect reports today regarding HMAS Adelaide”. “Defence can confirm the following,” it wrote.

“Essential functions such as refrigeration and sanitation systems are up and running;

“Food supplies have not been adversely affected as a result of the power outage;

“HMAS Adelaide is not under tow, nor has it been under tow while in or near Tonga; and

“Airconditioning is operational in most areas of the ship.”

Defence claimed the outage has not affected Australia’s ability to support requests from the Government of Tonga to assist their recovery efforts.

“Civilian specialists are on route to conduct an assessment of the affected systems,” the statement read.

On the ABC’s Afternoon Briefing program, government frontbencher Dan Tehan said the welfare of defence personnel was the focus.

“They’ll be making sure that there are appropriate welfare checks being made on all personnel on the Adelaide to ensure that their welfare is absolutely paramount in our thinking as they deal with this issue,” Mr Tehan said.