MSA Brolga in 2001.Brolga was a lighthouse tender acquired by the RAN under the Craft of Opportunity Program to serve as an auxiliary minesweeper.
TheCraft of Opportunity Program (COOP) was aRoyal Australian Navy (RAN) acquisition program intended to supplement the navy's mine warfare capability with civilian vessels that could be quickly converted into minesweepers. Vessels acquired under COOP were not commissioned into the RAN, and instead operated with theprefix "MSA" (Minesweeper Auxiliary).
COOP was initiated in 1985, to cover the gap inmine warfare capability caused by the decommissioning of theTon-class minesweepers and delays in building their replacements, theBay-class minehunting catamarans.[1][2] In order to equip the auxiliary vessels, the RAN acquired several Klein Type 590 towed sidescan sonar arrays, along with Mini-Dyad magnetic influence sweep arrays, AMASS influence sweep arrays, and mechanical minesweeping gear.[3] When the Bays were found to be poorly suited for minehunting work, the COOP vessels were kept on until theHuon class entered service, with some retained even later as a supplementary force.[4]
Six vessels were purchased under COOP:Bermagui andKoraaga (ex tuna fishing boats),Brolga (a lighthouse tender),Gunundaal, and theBandicoot-class minesweepersBandicoot andWallaroo (former Singaporean harbour tugboats).[1][2][5] Another three trawlers,Salvatore V,Waverider, andCarole S, were chartered.[2] Also acquired under the program were three drone ships, which could be operated from the auxiliary minesweepers.[6] Although not directly a part of COOP, theDefence Maritime Services training shipSeahorse Horizon can also be fitted out as an auxiliary minesweeper.[3]
By 2012, most of the vessels have been sold or returned to their owners.[7]Bandicoot andWallaroo have not been operated as minesweepers since 2010, but were retained until 2014 to provide berthing support fornuclear-powered warships.[8][9] The drones have been non-operational since 2007, and are due to be replaced by 2013.[10]
Stevens, David, ed. (2001).The Royal Australian Navy. The Australian Centenary History of Defence (vol III). South Melbourne, VIC: Oxford University Press.ISBN0-19-555542-2.OCLC50418095.
Jones, Peter. "A Period of Change and Uncertainty".The Royal Australian Navy.
Spurling, Kathryn. "The Era of Defence Reform".The Royal Australian Navy.
