View source for HMAS Jervis Bay (GT 203)

{{other ships|HMAS Jervis Bay}}
{{Use Australian English|date=April 2018}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2018}}
{|{{Infobox ship begin}}
{{Infobox ship image
|Ship image=[[File:Perth Jervis Bay.jpg|300px|HMAS ''Jervis Bay'' (rear) with HMAS ''Perth'' in 1992]]
|Ship caption=HMAS ''Jervis Bay'' (rear) with {{HMAS|Perth|D 38|6}} in 1992
}}
{{Infobox ship career
|Ship country=
|Ship name=*''Australian Trader'' (1969–1977)
*HMAS ''Jervis Bay'' (1977–1995)
*''Agios Andreas'' (1995–2003)
*''Ajman Leader'' (2003–2004)
*''Ajman City'' (2004)
|Ship builder=[[State Dockyard]]
|Ship laid down=18 August 1967
|Ship launched=17 February 1969
|Ship acquired=28 January 1977
|Ship commissioned=25 August 1977
|Ship decommissioned=18 April 1994
|Ship identification=*{{IMO Number|6910427}}
|Ship renamed=
|Ship motto=''Strive Valiantly''
|Ship nickname=
|Ship fate=Scrapped in September 2004
|Ship notes=
|Ship badge=[[File:HMAS jervis bay crest.png|Ship's crest]]
}}
{{Infobox ship characteristics
|Header caption=(Initial construction)
|Ship type=[[Roll-on/roll-off]] ferry
|Ship tonnage={{GT|7,005}}, {{DWT|3,250|metric}}
|Ship displacement=8,915&nbsp;tons
|Ship length={{convert|135.6|m|ft|abbr=on}}
|Ship beam={{convert|21.5|m|ft|abbr=on}}
|Ship draught={{convert|6.09|m|ft|abbr=on}}
|Ship decks=
|Ship deck clearance=
|Ship ramps=1 × stern ramp
|Ship propulsion=2 x [[SEMT Pielstick|Pielstick]] 16PC2-Atlantique-V400 Diesels, {{convert|6,500|hp}}, 2 shafts
|Ship speed={{convert|19.5|kn}}
|Ship capacity=190 passengers, 125 cars
|Ship crew=69
|Ship notes=
}}
{{Infobox ship characteristics
|Header caption=(Military service)
|Ship complement=14 officers and 163 sailors, plus up to 76 trainees
|Ship armament=Small arms only
|Ship aircraft facilities=Strengthened flight deck for 1 × [[Westland Sea King]] helicopter (installed 1987)
}}
{{Infobox ship characteristics
|Header caption=(after 1995 modifications)
|Ship tonnage={{GT|11,109}}
|Ship decks=
|Ship deck clearance=
|Ship ramps=
|Ship power=*4{{nbsp}}×{{nbsp}}[[SEMT Pielstick]] 12PC2-2V-400
*17,904{{nbsp}}kW (combined)<ref name=Stampehl>{{cite book |title=Siljan viisi vuosikymmentä |last=Malmberg |first=Thure |author2=Stampehl, Marko |year=2007 |publisher=Frenckellin Kirjapaino Oy |location=Espoo |language=fi, en |isbn=978-951-98405-7-4 |page=257 }}</ref><ref name=FoF>{{cite web |url=http://www.faktaomfartyg.se/svea_corona_1975.htm |title=M/S Svea Corona (1975) |access-date=2014-01-05 |last=Asklander |first=Micke |work=Fakta om Fartyg |language=sv }}</ref>
|Ship capacity=1,120 passengers, 300 cars
|Ship crew=
}}
|}

'''HMAS ''Jervis Bay'' (GT 203)''' was a [[roll-on/roll-off]] passenger and vehicle ferry operated by the [[Royal Australian Navy]] (RAN) between 1977 and 1994.

The ship was built by the [[State Dockyard]] between 1967 and 1969 for service with the [[Australian National Line]], under the name '''MV ''Australian Trader'''''. Initially operating on the [[Melbourne]] to [[Devonport, Tasmania|Devonport]] run, ''Australian Trader'' was reassigned to the [[Sydney]] to Tasmania run in 1972. Passenger service on that run ended in 1976, and at the start of 1977, the vessel was purchased by the RAN for use as a training vessel and troop transport, and was renamed HMAS ''Jervis Bay''.

After decommissioning in 1994, the vessel was sold to Voyager Marine, and renamed '''MS ''Agios Andreas'''''. After modifications to increase her passenger and vehicle capacity, ''Agios Andreas'' commenced ferry services between Greece and Turkey in 1995. In 2003, she was sold to Marwan Shipping and Trading, renamed '''MS ''Ajman Leader''''', and began operations in the Persian Gulf. The ship was renamed '''MS ''Ajman City''''' in 2004, but was sold for [[ship breaking|scrapping]] later that year.

==Design and construction==
The vessel was built as ''Australian Trader'' for the [[Australian National Line]] by the [[State Dockyard]] in [[Newcastle, New South Wales|Newcastle]].<ref name=Gillett110>Gillett, ''Australian and New Zealand Warships since 1946'', p. 110</ref> The vessel had a displacement of {{convert|8770|t}} at standard load and {{convert|8195|t}} at full load, a {{GT|7,005}} value and a {{DWT|3,250|metric|disp=long}} value.<ref name=Gillett110/><ref name=Fu>{{cite web |url=http://www.faktaomfartyg.se/australian_trader_1969.htm |title=M/S ''AUSTRALIAN TRADER'' (1969) |access-date=13 January 2012 |last=Asklander |first=Micke |work=Fakta om Fartyg |language=sv}}</ref> The vessel was {{convert|445|ft}} in [[length overall]], with a beam of {{convert|70.5|ft}}, and a draught of {{convert|20|ft}}.<ref name=Gillett110/> ''Australian Trader'' was propelled by two 16PC2 Atlantique 2V400 [[SEMT Pielstick|Pielstick]] diesels, which supplied {{convert|6500|shp}} to the vessel's two propeller shafts, and allowed her to reach {{convert|19.5|kn}}.<ref name=Gillett110/><ref name=Fu/> The ship was also fitted with a [[Voith]]-[[Schneider Electric|Schneider]] [[bow thruster]].<ref name=Plowman120>Plowman, ''Ferry to Tasmania'', p. 120</ref>

In her initial configuration, the ship could carry 190 passengers: 140 in single- or double-berth cabins, the rest in aircraft-style reclining chairs.<ref name=Plowman120/> 110 cars could be carried in covered parking, with room for an additional 15 in peak conditions, split between the cargo hold and the [[orlop deck]].<ref name=Plowman120/> Larger vehicles (such as [[semi-trailer]]s) or specially designed shipping containers could be stored on the open aft deck.<ref name=Plowman120/> A stern door allowed for the embarking and disembarking of vehicles.<ref name=Gillett110/> Public amenities onboard included an observation lounge, smoke room and bar, tavern, and a cafeteria (which initially sold only breakfast).<ref name=Plowman120/>

''Australian Trader'' was laid down on 18 August 1967, launched on 17 February 1969, and completed on 17 June 1969.<ref name=Gillett111>Gillett, ''Australian and New Zealand Warships since 1946'', p. 111</ref><ref name=Sharpe30>Sharped (ed.), ''Jane's Fighting Ships 1992–93'', p. 30</ref><ref>Australian Trader ''[[Australian Transport]]'' May 1969 page 63</ref>

==Operational history==
===Australian National Line===
On entering service, ''Australian Trader'' was assigned to [[Bass Strait]] crossings between [[Melbourne]] and [[Devonport, Tasmania|Devonport]]; the ship departed from Melbourne on her maiden voyage on 24 June 1969, then commenced paid services on 29 June.<ref name=Fu/><ref name=Plowman120/><ref>Latest ANL ferry joins Bass Strait services ''[[Freight & Container Transportation]]'' August 1969 page 17</ref>

In April 1972, the ferry was returned to the dockyard for modifications, prior to entering service on the [[Sydney]] to [[Hobart]] and Sydney to [[Bell Bay, Tasmania|Bell Bay]]/[[Burnie]] routes.<ref name=Fu/><ref>Shipping ''Australian Transport'' July 1976 page 13</ref> Because of the longer run, more crew needed to be accommodated; this was achieved by extending the superstructure and converting some of the passenger cabins to crew use, in turn reducing the passenger complement to 172. ''Australian Trader'' fared poorly on the run: the service was dogged by bad reviews of the ship's design and amenities, while [[trade union|maritime union]] strikes disrupted service.<ref>Plowman, ''Ferry to Tasmania'', pp. 125–6</ref>

In June 1976, Australian National Line announced plans to cease passenger service between Sydney and Tasmania, with replacement by a cargo-only service aboard ''Bass Trader''.<ref name=Plowman126>Plowman, ''Ferry to Tasmania'', p. 126</ref> Although due to cease operations on 3 July, delays in the completion of the new vessel kept ''Australian Trader'' in operation until the end of July, when she was laid up.<ref name=Plowman126/>

===Royal Australian Navy===
Starting on 6 October 1976, the RAN began to show interest in acquiring ''Australian Trader'' for use as a [[training ship]] and [[Troopship|troop transport]].<ref name=Gillett110/> The ship was sold to the RAN on 28 January 1977 for $5.7 million, and began $720,000 worth of modifications for naval service, which included the installation of a new navigation bridge and the refitting of some passenger cabins into classrooms.<ref name=Gillett110/> The vessel was commissioned into the RAN as HMAS ''Jervis Bay'' on 25 August.<ref name=Gillett111/> Modification was not completed until January 1978.<ref name=Gillett110/> ''Jervis Bay'' replaced the destroyer {{HMAS|Duchess|D154|6}} in the training role, with ''Duchess'' decommissioning in October 1977.<ref>Gillett, ''Australian and New Zealand Warships since 1946'', p. 109</ref>

''Jervis Bay''{{'}}s primary role was to facilitate the seamanship and navigation training of officer cadets, with logistic transport of [[Australian Army]] soldiers and equipment seen as a back-up capability.<ref name=Gillett110/> In RAN service, the ship's company consisted of 14 officers and 163 sailors, with up to 76 trainees embarked at any time.<ref name=Sharpe30/> The ship did not carry any fitted weapons, and relied on [[small arms]] for defence.<ref name=Gillett110/> The vessel's first training cruise occurred in February 1978.<ref name=Gillett110/> In December 1980, trials to mate ''Jervis Bay'' with the landing craft {{HMAS|Balikpapan|L 126|6}} were successfully performed in [[Port Jackson|Sydney Harbour]].<ref name=Gillett110/> In 1987, the deckhouse was removed, and the ship's aft deck was strengthened to allow a single [[Westland Sea King|Sea King]] or similar helicopter; more extensive plans to allow the embarkation of a flight of six helicopters were shelved.<ref name=Sharpe30/> In December 1992, ''Jervis Bay'' was deployed via [[Townsville]] to [[Mogadishu]] in support of [[1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment|1RAR]] and the US-led [[Operation Restore Hope]].<ref>{{cite journal|last=Perryman |first=John |date=June 2011 |title=Operation SOLACE – RAN Relief to Somalia 1993 |journal=Hindsight |publisher=Sea Power Centre Australia|url=http://www.navy.gov.au/media-room/publications/hindsight-june-2011 }}</ref>

''Jervis Bay'' paid off on 18 April 1994.<ref name=Straczek>Straczek, ''The Royal Australian Navy'' {{Page needed|date=January 2012}}</ref>

===Post-military service===
The ship was put up for sale in October 1994.<ref name=Plowman128>Plowman, ''Ferry to Tasmania'', p. 128</ref> On 23 December, she was sold to Liberian company Voyager Marine, renamed to MS ''Agios Andreas'', and [[ship registry|registered]] to [[Kingstown, Saint Vincent]].<ref name=Plowman128/> The ship sailed from Sydney on 14 January 1995; the voyage to Greece was made using the port engine only, as the starboard engine had been disassembled with the ship was to receive new engines in Greece.<ref name=Plowman128/> Once in Greece, ''Agios Andreas'' underwent major modifications including the installation of new engines from the ships to be scrapped, fire damaged [[MS Svea Corona|Ionian Express]],<ref name=Stampehl /> extension of the superstructure along the length of the hull; this and other modifications resulted in a passenger capacity increase to 1,120 (316 in cabins), vehicle capacity to grow to 300 cars, and the ship's gross tonnage to become {{GT|11,109}}.<ref name=Fu/><ref name=Plowman128/> On completion, the ship began ferry services between Greece and Turkey, under the operation of Greek company Med Link Lines.<ref name=Plowman128/>

In November 2003, the ship was sold to Marwan Shipping and Trading of [[Comoros]], renamed MS ''Ajman Leader'', and began operations in the [[Persian Gulf]] out of [[Dubai]].<ref name=Fu/> In February 2004, ownership was transferred to Marwan Shipping and Trading of [[Sharjah (city)|Sharjah]], [[United Arab Emirates]], and the vessel was renamed MS ''Ajman City''.<ref name=Fu/>

In September 2004, ''Ajam City'' was sold to [[ship breaking|shipbreakers]], and was taken to [[Alang]], India, for scrapping.<ref name=Fu/>

==Citations==
{{Reflist}}

==References==
*{{cite book |last=Gillett |first=Ross |title=Australian and New Zealand Warships since 1946 |year=1988 |publisher=Child & Associates |location=Brookvale, NSW |isbn=0-86777-219-0 |oclc=23470364}}
*{{cite book|last=Plowman |first=Peter |title=Ferry to Tasmania: A Short History |publisher=Rosenberg Publishing |year=2004 |isbn=1-877058-27-0|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=v279uRHojcMC}}
*{{cite book|title=Jane's Fighting Ships 1992–93 |editor=Sharpe, Richard |publisher=Jane's Information Group |location=Surrey, UK |year=1992 |edition=95th |isbn=0-7106-0983-3 |oclc=25930144}}
*{{cite book |last=Straczek |first=John |title=The Royal Australian Navy: Ships, Aircraft and Shore Establishments |publisher=Navy Public Affairs |location=Sydney |year=1996 |isbn=1-876043-78-4}}

==External links==
{{commons category-inline}}

{{RAN amphibious warfare ships}}
{{Australianferries}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Jervis Bay}}
[[Category:Training ships of the Royal Australian Navy]]
[[Category:Troop ships of the Royal Australian Navy]]
[[Category:Bass Strait ferries]]
[[Category:1969 ships]]