Crew cleans remote beach

Some of the crew of HMAS Glenelg went ashore on the remote Cocos (Keeling) Islands to clean-up a beach during their recent deployment on Operation Resolute.

CAPTION: HMAS Glenelg personnel clean-up a beach on Direction Island, which is part of the Cocos (Keeling) Islands group, during their recent Operation Resolute deployment. Story by Lieutenant Gordon Carr-Gregg. Photo by Sub Lieutenant Luke Bennet.

Direction Island – part of the Cocos (Keeling) Islands archipelago – is characterised by vivid blue waters, lush vegetation and pristine white beaches, however, its remote position in the Indian Ocean means a significant amount of rubbish washes ashore.

Commanding Officer HMAS Glenelg Lieutenant Commander Alexander Finnis said he was pleased to be able to contribute to the environmental management of the area.

“While maintaining our operational readiness and posture as part of Operation Resolute, a shore party spent the afternoon removing almost a dozen bags of rubbish from the beach in the spirit of Clean Up Australia Day,” Lieutenant Commander Finnis said.

“Direction Island is approximately halfway between Australia and Sri Lanka – more than 900 kilometres west of Christmas Island.

“This beach is one of the most remote parts of Australian soil there is – but very much still a part of our country and community.

Able Seaman Ebrahim Dollie was part of the shore party that picked up rubbish.

”Being able to do this sort of thing and help keep Direction Island clean and rubbish-free was fantastic,” Able Seaman Dollie said.

“It was a great experience.

“I was tired, wet, and very sweaty by the end, but with a big smile on my face.”

HMAS Glenelg is one of the Navy’s Armidale-class patrol boats and one of the highly capable and versatile warships that operate throughout Australia’s northern offshore maritime areas all year round.

Operation Resolute is the ADF’s contribution to the whole-of-government effort to protect Australia’s borders and offshore maritime interests through surveillance and responses in the maritime approaches to Australia.

CAPTION: Armidale class patrol boat HMAS Glenelg at anchor in November 2016. RAN File photo by Chief Petty Officer Cameron Martin.

 

 

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