The International Fleet Review 2013 was a review that took place on the week 3 to 11 October 2013, as part of the celebrations to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the entry of the first Royal Australian Navy fleet in Sydney Harbour, on 4 October 1913.
International Fleet Review 2013
Fireworks for the International Fleet Review in Sydney, Australia
In 2011 the RAN invited over 50 nations to send a ship to participate in a fleet review to commemorate the centenary of the first entry in Sydney of the Australian Fleet. This event was considered a milestone in Australia’s maturity as a nation.[1]
The event was planned in partnership with the New South Wales and the City of Sydney governments. The IFR was expected to have similar scale and public impact to that experienced during previous reviews held in Sydney, as the RAN 75th Anniversary (1986) and the Bicentennial Naval Salute (1988).[2] It was also confirmed that Prince Harry would attend the IFR as part of his first official visit to Australia.[3]
Some 40 warships and 16 tall ships were expected to participate in the review, of which a line of seven RAN ships symbolised the 1913 entry itself. The ships were greeted by the Governor-General of Australia, Quentin Bryce, from Bradleys Head on 4 October. She and Prince Harry officially reviewed the fleet on 5 October as part of the Ceremonial Fleet Review.[4]
The tall ships departed on 10 October, and the warships did so on 11 October to take part in the naval exercise Triton Centenary.
Associated eventsedit
In addition to the fleet review itself, the following events were scheduled to coincide with the IFR:[5]
IFR in Jervis Bay
RAN Sea Power Conference 2013
Pacific 2013 International Maritime Congress and Exposition
Exercise TRITON CENTENARY
International Fleet Review 2013 Art Competition[6]
On 4 October 1913 the ships, led by Australia, entered Sydney Harbour in an event that was witnessed by thousands of sightseers around the harbour, amidst nationalistic euphoria.[7]
Events planned for the weekedit
A summary of the main events planned for the IFR 2013 week is listed below.[8]
3 October: Tall ships enter Sydney Harbour
4 October: Warships enter Sydney Harbour
4 October: RAN Helicopter Display Team & RAAF Roulettes
4 October: Ceremonial Fleet Entry & 21-gun Salute
5 October: Ceremonial Fleet Review by the Governor-General of Australia
5 October: Formation flypast and Air Displays by civil and military helicopters and aircraft
5 October: IFR Fireworks and Lightshow Spectacular
6 & 7 October: Tall ships & Warships Open Days
7 to 9 October: Sea Power Conference 2013 & Pacific 2013 International Maritime Exposition
8 October: Freedom of Entry to Mosman CBD & Parramatta CBD
9 October: Combined Navies Parade, Sydney CBD
10 October: Tall ships depart Sydney Harbour
10 October: International Fleet Review Sailing Regatta
11 October: Warships depart Sydney Harbour
Participantsedit
As of 2 October 2013, the following participants from about 20 nations were confirmed.[9]
Warshipsedit
Royal Australian Navy: 19 ships
Other Navies: 18 ships from 17 navies
Tall shipsedit
Australia: 10 ships
Other countries: 6 ships, from 4 countries
Civilian shipsedit
Australia: 3 ships, including the steam launch Lady Hopetoun which participated in the event of 1913.
Military aircraftedit
Royal Australian Navy: helicopters from 5 squadrons and the Heritage Flight
Royal Australian Air Force: helicopters from 5 squadrons and the Roulettes display team
Australian Army: helicopters from 1 squadron
Other Air Forces: naval aircraft and helicopters from 4 nations
Civil aircraftedit
Aircraft and helicopters from 7 emergency services
Vintage aircraft from the Historic Aircraft Restoration Society