SENATOR DAVID FEENEY
Parliamentary Secretary for Defence

ANDREW LEIGH
Federal Member for Fraser

Parliamentary Secretary for Defence Senator David Feeney welcomed today’s opening of the Royal Australian Navy’s new $18 million training facility at HMAS Creswell, Jervis Bay.

The new damage-control training facility will enable Navy personnel to build their skills in responding to toxic hazards, fire fighting and conducting emergency repairs afloat.

Senator Feeney said the site was one of the best Navy training facilities in the world.

“This $18 million simulator can replicate the most serious circumstances which could occur while ships are at sea,” Senator Feeney said.

“This is precisely why the Navy trains its people so thoroughly and is providing outstanding facilities. Simulators such as this one are a cost-effective and smarter way of doing business.”

Federal Member for Fraser Andrew Leigh also welcomed the investment. 

“Ships at sea cannot call on emergency services in the unlikely event that things go wrong. Sailors have to be prepared to deal with any number of rare but potentially hazardous situations,” Mr Leigh said.

“This $18 million facility will be great for Jervis Bay and the Royal Australian Navy.”

The new Damage Control Training Unit differs from the old in that simulated ship’s compartments are hydraulically mounted to deliver the rolling motion ships experience at sea. Trainees now have to deal with ship movement while they fight fires or stem water flow in flooding compartments.

The Royal Australian Navy School of Survivability and Ship Safety is contained within HMAS Creswell at Jervis Bay. The new training facility is part of the $83.6 million HMAS Creswell redevelopment project, which has also seen the refurbishment and expansion of trainees’ accommodation and classrooms.

It also includes a new physical-fitness centre providing an indoor swimming pool, cardio fitness room, weights room and multi-purpose hall.

HMAS Creswell is the home of officer training in the Royal Australian Navy.

Media contacts:

Lorna Clarke, Senator Feeney’s Office – 0408 345 730

Shobaz Kandola, Andrew Leigh’s Office – 0421 838 038

Natalie Staples, Communications and Media, Navy – 0419 840 646