The Royal Australian Navy (RAN) has decommissioned Armidale Class Patrol Boat HMAS Maitland at a ceremony at HMAS Coonawarra, Darwin, following 16 years of service. Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Michael Noonan, AO, RAN, recognised the service of the Ship’s Firm. The Arafura Class Vessels will carry three sea boats bigger than that of the Armidale Class, considerably growing {our capability} and enhancing our capability to patrol Australia’s maritime territory and close to area. Since commissioning in 2006, HMAS Maitland has labored alongside Border Power, Australian Fisheries and the Australian Federal Police as a part of Operation RESOLUTE and been assigned to Operations AUGURY, RAI BALANG, SANDALWOOD and SOLANIA.
“HMAS Maitland and the women and men who’ve served in her, have made a big contribution to our nationwide curiosity. By way of their professionalism and dedication, the crew have protected our nation’s borders and offshore maritime pursuits from criminal activity similar to unauthorised entry and customs breaches, and upheld immigration and medicines laws. In the present day, we replicate on that contribution whereas trying to our future. Navy might be transitioning to 12 Arafura Class Offshore Patrol Vessels, which have a lot larger vary and endurance than the Armidale Class patrol boats,” Vice Admiral Noonan stated.
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Commanding Officer of HMAS Maitland, Lieutenant Commander Jeremy Evain, leads the ship’s firm by the streets of Maitland, New South Wales, through the Freedom of Entry march on Saturday, 02 April.
HMAS Maitland was the sixth of 14 Armidale Class Patrol Boats (ACPB) constructed for the Royal Australian Navy (RAN). She was constructed by Austal Ships at Henderson, Western Australia as a part of a $553 million contract between the Federal Authorities and Defence Maritime Providers. The Armidale class vessels continued the legacy of service established by the RAN’s former Assault and Fremantle Class Patrol boats. The bigger, extra succesful ACPBs have been characterised by good seakeeping qualities, improved vary and endurance, in addition to internet hosting a state-of-the-art surveillance system. They’ve contributed considerably during the last 20 years to myriad border safety and maritime safety operations, each in Australian waters and all through the south-west Pacific.
Maitland was assigned to Assail Division, and was primarily based in Darwin. Every patrol boat has a normal ship’s firm of 21 personnel, with a most of 29. The Armidales should not have a completely assigned ship’s firm; as a substitute, they’re assigned to divisions at a ratio of two vessels to 3 firms, which rotate by the vessels and permit the Armidales to spend extra time at sea, with out compromising sailors’ relaxation time or coaching necessities. The principle armament of the Armidale class is a Rafael Storm stabilised 25-millimetre (0.98 in) gun mount fitted with an M242 Bushmaster autocannon.[3] Two 12.7-millimetre (0.50 in) machine weapons are additionally carried. Boarding operations are carried out by two 7.2-metre (24 ft), waterjet propelled rigid-hulled inflatable boats (RHIBs).
Armidale Class Patrol Boat, HMAS Maitland (foreground) in formation throughout Train Kakadu.
