The NSW Police Force Marine Area Command is leading the largest maritime operation undertaken in Sydney Harbour to coordinate the provisioning and crew movements of five cruise ships.
‘Operation Nemesis’, assisted by the Port Authority of NSW, has been working closely with the Royal Caribbean Cruise Line to safely coordinate the return of the ships to their home ports.
Following several days of planning, Spectrum of the Seas entered the port of Sydney about 4.30pm yesterday (Friday 3 April 2020), guided by a marine pilot, and anchored at Athol Bay to re-provision essential supplies, including fuel, food and medical materials.
It was joined by Radiance of the Seas which entered Sydney Harbour after 5am today (Saturday 4 April 2020).
More than 600 crew members, who are Foreign Nationals, were moved between the two ships in numerous tender operations, before both ships departed NSW waters to return to their home countries just before 2pm.
A third ship – Celebrity Solstice – entered Sydney Harbour just after 2pm, and a further two ships – Voyager of the Seas and Ovation of the Seas – are scheduled to enter the harbour later today.
A further 780 crew members will be transferred in multiple tender operations this evening, before the remaining three ships depart.
A total of five Australian crew members remain on the ships.
Marine Area Commander, Superintendent Steve Hegarty, said the operation has been planned and executed by the Marine Area Command.
“NSW Police has been instrumental in facilitating the movement of more than 750,000 tonnes of shipping through the Port of Sydney over about a 30-hour period,” Supt Hegarty said.
“It will be the largest peace time maritime operation undertaken in Sydney Harbour and has relied on the cooperation of Royal Caribbean Cruise Line and the Port Authority of NSW to ensure its success.”
Further information will be available at the conclusion of the operation.
