Workers use a hydraulic lift to elevate themselves high off the dock floor as they use a high-pressure water sprayer to prepare the ship's superstructure for painting.

Photographer Jon Reid

Date2001

Object number00044618

NamePhotograph

MediumPhotographic print on archival fibre-based paper

DimensionsImage: 202 x 305 mm

ClassificationsPhotographs

Credit LineANMM Collection

Terms

DescriptionBlack and white photograph taken by Jon Reid in 2001, one of a series showing the working environment and work performed at the Captain Cook Graving Dock at the Garden Island facility. In this image a dock worker, wearing a hardhat and protective overalls uses a high pressure water sprayer on the hull of the replenishment vessel HMAS SUCCESS, while clipped to the cage of an elevated hydraulic lift.HistoryJon Reid's photographic project in 2001 showcases HMAS SUCCESS, a RAN offshore replenishment vessel, undergoing a refit at the Captain Cook Graving Dock, Garden Island, Sydney, NSW. As the largest graving dock in the southern hemisphere it is a strong military port for not only Australian ships but allied ones too. Reid's photographs show the importance of the dockyard to our current Navy in the continuation of the long tradition of caring for warships since it was first developed in the 19th century. SUCCESS is an auxiliary oiler replenishment vessel and carries an American designed Westland Sea King helicopter produced in the United Kingdom. Its primary role is to provide support to the Fleet as a utility aircraft. SUCCESS supplies combat units with fuel, ammunition, food and stores whilst underway at sea. It is capable of day and night Replenishment at Sea (RAS) to ships alongside and concurrently by the embarked helicopter to other ships in company via Vertical Replenishment (VERTREP).SignificanceReid's photographs illustrate some of the important maintenance work carried out at Garden Island and vividly captures the working life of the dockyard.