Australia's newest and largest warship, HMAS Canberra, visited Hobart for the first time today. 

Canberra is an LHD (Landing Helicopter Dock). It can operate all of the helicopter types currently in the Navy and Army inventory. It can carry 1000+ troops along with their equipment (including tanks) and can land them using its 4 landing craft (floated out of the stern docking well) and/or by helicopter. It is in Tasmanian waters to trial and set operational limits for helicopter operations in cold weather conditions She was previously operating out of Townsville for warm weather trials. 

Ocean Shield in Hobart March 2015.

 Ocean Shield was photographed by my friend Brian Butler in Hobart on 12th March 2015.

Operated by a civilian crew as an ADV (Australian Defence Force Vessel) on behalf of the Royal Australian Navy the red stripe suggests that the proposed transfer to Customs and Border Protection has now taken place.

HMAS Perth leaving Hobart on a gloomy February morning

HMAS Sydney at 2015 Wooden Boat Festival and Royal Hobart Regatta 9th February 2015

I'd hoped to get a photo of Sydney in mid stream as Regatta Flagship but unfortunately she had to remain in port because she lost her anchor whilst trying to raise it on Saturday.