MV Sycamore multi-role aviation training vessel (MATV)
The ship’s primary role is to support maritime aviation training of Defence helicopter flight crews. The 94-metre civilian ship is a flight deck equipped sea-going training vessel for most types of helicopters used by the Australian Defence Force.
The Royal Australian Navy's new multi-role aviation training vessel (MATV)- MV Sycamore - was built by Damen and launched in Vietnam in August 2016. The ship’s primary role is to support maritime aviation training of Defence helicopter flight crews. The 94-metre civilian ship is a flight deck equipped sea-going training vessel for most types of helicopters used by the Australian Defence Force. The ship arrived in Sydney on 26 June 2017 and final acceptance of MV Sycamore by the Commonwealth, as an Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) Special Purpose Ship was achieved on 28 July 2017.
The Commonwealth engaged Teekay Shipping (Australia) to crew, operate and maintain the vessel. Teekay established the required operating and safety certifications to enable the initial operational voyage on 4 August 2017. The flight deck operational support team is provided under contract by OPSTAR.
The MV Sycamore has two swings of 19 contracted civilian crew who will operate and maintain the vessel. Up to 91 Commonwealth personnel may be embarked as Special Persons, with an overnight capacity for 71. The ship will provide in excess of 300 sea days per year, delivering support for a range of training functions, including sea familiarisation for recruits and officers, mine warfare training and diving support, practice torpedo / weapon recovery and consort duties.
MV Sycamore is fitted with the aircraft ship integrated secure and traverse system (ASIST) to enable MH-60R helicopter pilots to safely land and take off from the deck in severe weather conditions. Night-time helicopter operations are supported, along with the ability to re-fuel helicopters on the deck or in flight. The vessel is also capable of supporting the operation of unmanned aircraft systems.
MV Sycamore completed first-of-class flight trials for the EC135 helicopter to support the Helicopter Aircrew Training System (HATS) program which commences January 2018. The Initial Operating Capability (IOC) milestone was achieved in December 2017.
The multi-role aviation training vessel (MATV) MV Sycamore, the civilian-flagged and crewed vessel, is often the first sea-going experience for sailors and enables young MWOs valuable bridge time. Manned by 20 civilian crew from Teekay Shipping, a medic from OPSTAR and a Navy liaison officer (NLO), the ship spends most days operating in the East Australian Exercise Area, focusing on Jervis Bay for aviation training. “At any time, we can be doing up to six levels of training during the same activity,” NLO CMDR Karl Brinckmann said. “If we’re flying, we might be training people on the bridge and down in engineering. We’ll also have people performing duties as helmsman, lookouts, flight deck marshallers and helicopter control officers; at the same time, the squadron is conducting deck landing practise.
“The concurrency of training we’re able to achieve really highlights Sycamore’s value for money.” With recruits spending a week in the ship as part of basic training, it’s often their first experience of life at sea in the Navy. So the crew endeavours to cultivate an enjoyable, relaxed experience while maintaining a professional edge to the training. Both recruits and junior officers climb the main mast, providing a practical demonstration of RADHAZ and working at heights procedures. They keep watches on the bridge, including lookout and helmsman duties, drive a crash boat and conduct damage control exercises.
During Operation BUSHFIRE ASSIST 2019-2020, MV Sycamore was called upon to help in the evacuation of 1400 civilians from Mallacoota, Victoria, with HMAS Choules in the first week of January 2020. Sycamore was also instrumental in supporting the HMA Ships Adelaide and Choules in other tasks including the movement of personnel from ashore to the ships.
The civilian crew of the Navy-contracted MV Sycamore relished an expanded role during Operation BUSHFIRE ASSIST 19-20. The ship’s primary function is to support maritime aviation training of Defence helicopter flight crews, usually in the vicinity of Jervis Bay with Navy trainees aboard. Sycamore’s Naval Liaison Officer, Commander Karl Brinckmann, explained how the ship has modified her operations, away from her usual role, to support the ADF’s bushfire response. “Sycamore is normally focused on raise, train, sustain activities, including aviation, recruit sea familiarisation and Junior Officer Navigation training and supporting the fleet’s overall training needs,” Commander Brinckmann said. “However, the ongoing bushfire emergency has seen Sycamore becoming part of a task group with HMA Ships Adelaide and Choules. “Sycamore’s civilian crew were able to sail at very short notice and we’ve taken this additional role during Operation BUSHFIRE ASSIST 19-20 in-stride.”
Sycamore was called upon to help in the evacuation of 1400 civilians from Mallacoota, Victoria, with Choules in the first week of January. “Most Australians wanted to assist those devastated by the bushfires,” Commander Brinckmann said. “In Sycamore we felt privileged as we were able to provide help firsthand.” Sycamore has also been instrumental in supporting the two larger ships in other tasks under Operation BUSHFIRE ASSIST 19-20, including the movement of personnel from ashore to the ships.
While Sycamore has returned to her usual training function, she remained available to support Operation BUSHFIRE ASSIST 19-20 for as long as required.
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