HMAS Cook

HMAS Cook (GOR 291/A 219), named after Captain James Cook, was an oceanographic research vessel of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN).

Sailors from USS Missouri cheer to honour Prince Philip as he passes by aboard HMAS Cook in 1986
History
Australia
Namesake	Captain James Cook
Builder	HMA Naval Dockyard, Williamstown, Victoria
Laid down	30 September 1974
Launched	27 August 1977
Commissioned	28 January 1980
Decommissioned	31 October 1990
Identification	IMO number: 8872784
Motto	"With Diligence and Skill"
Fate	Converted to merchant vessel, fate unknown
Badge
General characteristics
Type	Oceanographic research vessel
Length	316.6 feet (96.5 m) in length overall
Beam	44 feet (13 m)
Draught	15.1 feet (4.6 m)
Propulsion	Diesels 2 shafts
Speed	17 knots (31 km/h; 20 mph)
Range	11,000 nautical miles (20,000 km; 13,000 mi) at 14 knots (26 km/h; 16 mph)
Complement	150 + 13 scientists
Armament	Light calibre weapons only

Design work for a dedicated oceanographic research vessel to replace the converted frigate HMAS Diamantina began in the late 1960s.[1] The ship was ordered in 1973.[1] 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).[2] Displacement was 1,900 tons at standard load, and 2,450 tons at full load.[2] Propulsion machinery consisted of diesel engines, connected to two propeller shafts.[2] 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).[2] Cook was operated by a ship's company of 150, with facilities for up to 13 civilian scientists.[2] The ship's armament was limited to light calibre weapons only.[2]

Cook was laid down by HMA Naval Dockyard at Williamstown, Victoria,[2] on 30 September 1974, launched on 27 August 1977 and commissioned into the RAN on 28 January 1980.[1] 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.[1]

Cook paid off on 31 October 1990 and was sold for conversion as a small cruise ship and subsequently renamed "Maria Kosmas" - IMO number 8872784. As of 2009, the vessel was in the United Arab Emirates) under the name "Cosmos", in the hands of Platinum Yachts for conversion into a private yacht, but work had been suspended.[3]