Namesake Captain James Cook Commissioned 28 January 1980 Construction started 30 September 1974 Draft 4.6 m Builder Williamstown Dockyard | Laid down 30 September 1974 Decommissioned 31 October 1990 Launched 27 August 1977 Beam 13 m | |
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Motto "With Diligence and Skill" Fate Converted to merchant vessel, fate unknown | ||
HMAS Cook (GOR 291/A 219), named after Captain James Cook, was an oceanographic research vessel of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN).
Design work for a dedicated oceanographic research vessel to replace the converted frigate HMAS Diamantina began in the late 1960s. The ship was ordered in 1973. Cook was 316.6 feet (96.5 m) in length overall, with a beam of 44 feet (13 m) and a draught of 15.1 feet (4.6 m). Displacement was 1,900 tons at standard load, and 2,450 tons at full load. Propulsion machinery consisted of diesel engines, connected to two propeller shafts. Top speed was 17 knots (31 km/h; 20 mph), with a range of 11,000 nautical miles (20,000 km; 13,000 mi) at 14 knots (26 km/h; 16 mph). Cook was operated by a ship's company of 150, with facilities for up to 13 civilian scientists. The ship's armament was limited to light calibre weapons only.
Cook was laid down by HMA Naval Dockyard at Williamstown, Victoria, on 30 September 1974, launched on 27 August 1977 and commissioned into the RAN on 28 January 1980. After a six-year construction period the ship spent another two years in dockyard hands fixing defects from the building period, including the realignment of the entire propulsion mechanism to reduce vibration.
Cook paid off on 31 October 1990 and was sold for conversion to a merchant vessel. As of 2009, the vessel (named Cosmos and registered in the United Arab Emirates), was in the hands of Platinum Yachts for conversion into a private yacht, but work had been suspended.