Huon class mine hunter coastals HMAS Norman (M84) and HMAS Yarra (M87) arriving at Fleet Base West for Exercise PACIFIC REACH 07.
On 27 October 2008 while alongside in Singapore, Norman was struck by lightning affecting a number of the ship’s systems and resulting in a curtailed deployment while repairs were carried out. The deployment was further marred when, on 30 November, while en route back to Sydney, Sub Lieutenant James Bennett, RAN, went missing while swimming at Babinda Boulders south of Cairns. An extensive search was initiated involving Queensland Police, the North Queensland Fire and Rescue Service and an Emergency Services specialist dive team. Sub Lieutenant Bennett’s body was recovered on 2 December. The tragic loss of this highly regarded officer had a profound effect on the crew.
Norman was also occasionally employed in hydrographic work and conducted routine survey operations in and around Cockburn Sound, Western Australia, in 2000, and in March and April 2009 conducted a search for shipping containers lost overboard from MV Pacific Adventurer in the vicinity of Moreton Island, Queensland, during Tropical Cyclone Hamish.
It was awarded the Rushcutter’s Shield in 2007, the award presented to the MHC or Clearance Diving Team foremost in all aspects of mine counter measures operations, safety, reliability and unit level training.
The Kelly Shield was first presented to MSA Koraaga in 1993 for Mine Counter Measures Proficiency. The Shield was renamed the Rushcutter Shield in 2003 and now recognises Mine Warfare proficiency and excellence. The award is presented annually to the vessel or Diving Team which has performed at the highest level in terms of effectiveness and efficiency throughout the calendar year. In recognition of the outstanding efforts of its crew throughout the 2007 calendar year, the Rushcutter Shield was awarded to HMAS Norman. Left: Guest of honour, Commander Australian Fleet, Rear Admiral Nigel S Coates, AM, presents the Rushcutter Shield to Commanding Officer of HMAS Norman, Lieutenant Commander Cameron Steel, 14 February 2014. Right: Ship’s company of HMAS Norman with the Rushcutter Shield.
In June 2009 it was decided that 2 MHCs would be placed into an Extended Readiness Availability. The 2 ships selected were Norman and HMAS Hawkesbury. The decision effectively brought an end to Norman’s operational career. Following a visit to Tasmania and Jervis Bay, it returned to Sydney in September where it remained until decommissioning on 31 October 2018.