HMAS
Collins has become the first submarine to win the prestigious
Royal Australian Navy training award, the Platypus Cup, for a second time.
Sponsored by ASC, the Platypus Cup is awarded to the
Collins Class submarine whose crew best demonstrates the rigorous training needed to ensure the safe and effective operation of the vessel.
HMAS
Collins won the
inaugural Platypus Cup, presented in 2006, while HMAS
Rankin won the award in 2007.
Executive Officer of HMAS
Collins, Matthew Hoffmann, was presented with the Platypus Cup at a ceremony at HMAS
Stirling on 11 December.
ASC Managing Director
Greg Tunny said the challenge of operating a Collins Class submarine is reflected in the training its crew must undergo.
“ASC provides training services through the Navy’s Submarine Training School at HMAS
Stirling and we know how demanding the training is for submarine crews,” he said.
“Before they are allowed to set foot on a submarine, they must complete up to nine months of training. Once they are on board, they can obtain their basic seagoing qualification known as their ‘Dolphins’ over another six months, and then continue with ongoing training and education.
“I congratulate the crew of HMAS
Collins for their dedication and commitment to training this year, and also for the significant achievement of winning the Platypus Cup twice in three years.”
The Platypus Cup is presented annually to the Collins Class submarine demonstrating the best fleet, submarine and individual training performance for the preceding 12 months.
The name ‘Platypus Cup’ reflects the history of the original submarine depot ship HMAS
Platypus and, later, the old submarine base (also known as HMAS
Platypus) in Sydney which was the first home of submarine training in Australia.
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