Fond memories recalled, tears shed at farewell

The National National
Retired naval officer Commander Murphy Kila and his wife Rosslyn from Mauritius whom he met more than 40 years ago onboard the HMPNGS Salamaua (background) after its decommissioning ceremony at HMPNG Basilisk base on Friday evening in Port Moresby. – Nationalpic by JOEL HAMARI

THE decommissioning of HMPNGS Salamaua may have been a sad occasion but it brought back fond memories for retired naval officer Murphy Kila and his wife Rosslyn from Mauritius in the Indian Ocean.
Kila, 63, from Uritai village, Malalaua, Gulf, was the second captain of HMPNGS Salamaua and served for 10 years (two years as a navigator and eight years as the captain).
“This is our ship.
“I was the captain when we had a dance on the ship in 1987 and that’s how I met my wife Rosslyn from Mauritius and we have been married since,” Kila recalled.
“I joined the ship in 1978 as the navigator after completing my two years officer cadet from the Joint Services College in Igam Barracks, Lae.
“I was the navigator and took HMPNGS Salamaua to Vanuatu to help quell the Jimmy Steven rebellion and brought it back to Port Moresby after the conflict in 1980.
“HMPNGS Salamaua was part of the PNGDF contingent that was deployed to Vanuatu.”
Kila, now retired, said he took over as the captain in 1984 and remained till 1988 when he was posted as commanding officer of the Lombrum Naval Base in Manus.
He retired from the PNGDF in 2018 after serving various senior executive management positions at the headquarters in Murray Barracks.
He still lives at Murray Barracks awaiting his final retirement entitlements before he will move out.
The farewell saw former sailors, and their family members, of HMPNGS Salamaua weep openly during her decommissioning after over 45 years of services.
The ship has steamed over 50,000 nautical miles since it’s commissioning in 1974.
She served in conflict zones in Vanuatu and Bougainville and in peace and humanitarian efforts throughout PNG and Indonesia.
She was formerly HMAS Salamaua in the Royal Australian Navy.
PNGDF Commander Maj-Gen Gilbert Toropo paid tribute to her former crew.
“Although HMPNGS Salamaua is gone, all her crew’s spirit will live on in her iron walling,” Toropo said.
“She has served her purpose well and we the PNGDF appreciate it. It was a vital asset.
“It has done a lot in supporting military operations over 45 years in accordance with our Constitution in nation-building and delivering goods and services.”