As the severity of the disaster was realised, a naval task force was established to render aid to the people of Darwin; Operation Navy Help Darwin. A general recall was issued to all personnel; volunteers from shore bases and ships unable to sail were used to replace those who could not return to their ships in time. The first RAN assets arrived in Darwin on 26 December, a HS 748 aircraft carrying blood transfusion equipment and Red Cross workers, followed shortly by another HS 748 carrying Clearance Diving Team 1 (CDT1). Ships also began departing for Darwin on 26 December: and departed from Brisbane, "Flinders" sailed from Cairns, while (with Rear Admiral Wells aboard), , and left Sydney. The next day, , , , and left Sydney, while and sailed from Brisbane. The last ship, , left Brisbane on 2 January.