Article Posted on : - Aug 26, 2010

A file photo of Australian Naval ship HMAS Parramatta.

MUMBAI (PTI): Royal Australian Naval Ship, HMAS Parramatta, an ANZAC class frigate, paid a goodwill visit to Mumbai port from August 18 to 23.

The ship has a compliment of 25 officers and 150 sailors and is commanded by Commander Heath Robertson.

HMAS Parramatta is based at Sydney and was on her way back after a six-month deployment in the North Arabian Sea, as part of Maritime Coalition Forces.

There were extensive interactions between the ship crew and Indian Navy personnel from the Western Naval Command, the spokesperson said. These included ship visits, onboard receptions and friendly sports fixtures.

The Commanding Officer of the ship also paid a courtesy call on Rear Admiral Sunil Lanba, the Flag Officer Commanding, Maharashtra and Gujarat Naval Area.

The past few years have witnessed a steady growth of Indo-Australian Naval cooperation and the visit by HMAS Parramatta underscores this growth, the spokesperson said.

Besides exercises at sea, this cooperation also manifests itself through port visits by ships, maritime seminars and exchange of personnel, he said.