Engineering - Royal Australian Navy

Naval Engineering Bulletin • June 2001
LPA’s, The Opportunity Beckons
By LEUT Richard Loizou, RAN
With the exception of the DDG’s the two LPA’s HMAS
MANOORA and KANIMBLA have the largest technical department
in the RAN. For the technical sailor MANOORA
provides some unique challenges and advantages beyond
serving on other RAN major fleet units.
ploy a fully operational command headquarters to anywhere
in the world. This now means that for the ET technical
sailor MANOORA is longer a poor posting. It can only be
seen as an opportunity to work with the most advanced
communications equipment in the ADF.
The LPA’s are perhaps the only vessels left in the RAN where
traditional means of engineering occurs. Ships’ staffs are
regularly involved in Engineering Casualty Control Drill’s
that typically involve identification and rectification of
faults both major and minor. Other engineering activities
on board include planned maintenance routines and repair
of faulty equipment where it is in the capability of the ships
staff. MANOORA has fitted a fully functional machine
workshop, which includes a drill press, a lathe, an electric
hacksaw and a mill. This allows the ship to undertake a
range of repair and maintenance activities that are far beyond
the capabilities of other major fleet units.
HMAS MANOORA is a major fleet unit of the HMA Ships
grouped in the Amphibious and Afloat Support Force Element
Group. The ship is designated as an Amphibious
Transport (LPA), derived from the USN Newport Class LST.
Essentially the ship is a multi purpose troop, stores, and
equipment carrier capable of supporting amphibious and
transports operations. The ship design allows for the loading
and discharge of troops, stores and equipment from an
established port or when at anchor, when supported by either
LCM8/LCH and/or helicopters.
A special feature of the Ship’s heavy lift capability is a heavy
lift crane cable of loads up to 70 tonnes. This enable
MANOORA to embark Leopard Main battle tanks plus a
number of wheeled vehicles and artillery in addition to the
troop lift capability.
When the LPA’s were procured from the USN it is fair to say
that they were in a poor state. This is no longer the case.
The LPA is one of the most valuable assets of the RAN. HMAS
MANOORA has also recently been fitted with a communications
suite that makes it the RAN’s most capable command
and control ship. It has filled the ADF’s void of a
mobile (floating) command centre. The ADF can now de-
HMAS MANOORA combines two ages of technological advancement.
Above the weather deck, MANOORA is a modern
ship that utilises state of the art technological
equipment. It has been fitted with modern facilities such
as a fully functional hospital and operating facilities that
will be the only ADF afloat medical facility with the ability
to take X-rays. Given this extensive medical and communications
fit one could be forgiven in forgetting that
MANOORA was built in the 1960’s given the equipment that
is now fitted.
Below the weather deck is separate issue and this is what
provides the challenge to the Technical sailor who is posted
to one of the LPA’s. Both, MANOORA and KANIMBLA make
use of their original engineering fit. The main propulsion
engines are ALCO V16 Turbo Diesel engines with each LPA
being fitted with six (that’s correct) six engines. In addition
to this the LPA’s have four V8 Turbo diesel generators. This
means that across the four separate main engineering
spaces of the LPA, up to 10 diesel engines may be running
at once. (In addition there may also be running 4 fire pumps,
two CHT’s, 4 air compressors, an RO plant and 3 main airconditioning
units. In fast transit mode HMAS MANOORA
runs all six main propulsion engines and two generators
with the remaining generators at immediate notice. Most
of the systems fitted make use of original as fitted technology.
For example, to transfer fuel or oil, valves have to be
manually open and shut for correct system alignment, this
requires a qualified stoker to enter the space and physically
turn the valve as is the case on DDG’s.
On the other hand, some of the systems on board are at
technological level that is expected of a ship built in the
1990’s. PLC’s control the potable water distribution pumps,
the air conditioning, reverse osmosis plant, the main engine
controls and air compressors on board. MANOORA has also
been fitted with what must be the most effective Reverse
Osmosis plant in the fleet (the personnel on board appreci-
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