The British fleet was joined by eleven RAN ships, including the aircraft carrier with 805 and 817 Squadrons embarked, and its four escorts, the destroyer , and frigates , and . The Defence (Special Undertakings) Act (1952) was passed through the Parliament of Australia between 4 and 6 June 1952, and received assent on 10 June. Under this act, the area within a radius of Flag Island was declared a prohibited area for safety and security reasons. That some of this was outside Australia's territorial waters attracted comment. The frigate was tasked with patrolling the prohibited area, while its sister ship acted as a weather ship. Logistical support was provided by , and "Mildura", the motor water lighter "MWL 251" and the motor refrigeration lighter "MRL 252", and the tugboat , which towed a fuel barge. Dakotas of No. 86 Wing RAAF provided air patrols and a weekly courier run.