MV Besant in Cockburn Sound

The latest enhancement to the Royal Australian Navy’s submarine search-and-rescue capability has arrived at her new home at Fleet Base West.

As one of two ships being acquired to further enhance the capability, MV Besant will act as the submarine escape gear ship, Navy Daily reported. The vessel would be used in the event of a submarine becoming disabled. The rescue gear ship MV Stoker is currently undergoing final fit-out, and is scheduled to join the escape gear ship in early January next year, stated Commander Ken Marr, Submarine Escape and Rescue Manager.

Both ships will be operated by DMS Maritime.