HMAS Adelaide unable to move from Tonga wharf after electrical outage

A major electrical power failure has left the Royal Australian Navy's (RAN's) 27,000 tonne landing helicopter dock (LHD) HMAS Adelaide unable to move after berthing in Tonga to deliver humanitarian supplies following the 14 January volcanic eruption and tsunami.

Australia's national broadcaster ABC reported on 31 January that despite days of emergency work after docking from Sydney on 26 January, the ship was still experiencing problems.

In comments quoted by ABC, Adelaide 's Commanding Officer Captain Stuart Watters said the ship's marine technical department “had worked throughout the past few days to restore power and get us operational again”.

“We are still experiencing issues with external communications and wanted to let you know that everybody onboard is safe,” he added.

A Department of Defence (DoD) statement released after the ABC report was broadcast said backup power had been activated, essential functions such as refrigeration and sanitation systems were up and running, food supplies had not been adversely affected, and civilian specialists were on their way to conduct an assessment of the affected systems.