Cilacap, C Java (ANTARA News) - An Australian naval ship, the HMAS Melville A246, arrived at Cilacap`s Intan port, Central Java, on Monday for a goodwill visit of several days, a local Indonesian navy spokesman said.

According to the Indonesian Naval Base commander in Cilacap, Colonel Eko Priyono, the Austalian warship arrived at Cilacap harbor on Monday at 08.00 local time.

The HMAS Melvile A246 is a survey ship and its call at Cilacap harbor was to refuel, obtain logistics supplies, give its crew an opportunity for recreation and establish friendly contact with the Indonesian navy`s Cilacap base.

"The Australian warship`s 65 crew will also conduct a sports competition with men stationed at the Indonesian naval base during its stay of several days," he said.

The HMAS Melville A248 is 71 meters long and 15 meters wide and its crew headed by Commander Steward Dunne. It is one of two ships in the Leeuwin class owned by the Autralian navy and used for hydro-graphic survey activities.

The ship has the ability to carry three Fantome class boats for survey activities in waters too shallow for itself and a Squirrel helicopter.

In June 2003, HMAS Melville was sent to southern Queensland to inspect the location where the Australian hospital ship Centaur sank during World War II.(*)

Editor: Aditia Maruli Radja
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