Royal Australian Navy’s first Developed Cape-class patrol boat (ECCPB), Australian Defence Vessel Cape Otway, was formally welcomed to its residence port of Cairns on June 24. The 58-metre aluminium monohull vessel shall be utilized in constabulary operations, primarily to the North of Australia, implementing Australian sovereign immigration and fisheries legal guidelines. Deputy Chief of Navy Rear Admiral Chris Smith was one of many particular friends on the ceremony held at Defence institution HMAS Cairns to welcome Cape Otway to its residence port.

“Navy has a proud and long-established reference to Cairns stretching again earlier than World Conflict 2. The town is a becoming residence port for Australian Defence Vessel Cape Otway, the primary of our Developed Cape-class patrol boats. The six Cape-class vessels shall be maintained on the Regional Upkeep Centre North East in Cairns, opened in January, which brings collectively business and Defence to help and maintain Navy’s rising fleet. It is a strong relationship that advantages us all,” Rear Admiral Smith mentioned.

Commercial

Deputy Chief of Navy Rear Admiral Christopher Smith, CSM, RAN, (left) presents Commanding Officer of Australian Defence Vessel Cape Otway, Lieutenant Commander James Thompson with a service order throughout an official welcome to residence port HMAS Cairns. (Photograph by ABIS Susan Mossop/Australian Authorities Division of Defence)

Commanding Officer Cape Otway Lieutenant Commander James Thompson mentioned,“Getting the boat prepared for service was a mixed effort.Everybody has labored actually exhausting to get up to now. The coaching we’ve accomplished with the boat-builder, Austal, has been glorious. As a crew, we’re ready and excited to be part of the brand new class of patrol boats offering a stronger functionality for our area.”

The Developed Cape-class patrol boat (ECCPB)’s substitute Navy’s Armidale-class patrol boats and include enhancements and better operational capabilities. The brand new vessels embody an improved communications system and extra berths, which may accommodate as much as 32 crew members. Cape Otway was inbuilt about 18 months at Austal’s Henderson Shipyard in Western Australia. Based mostly on the unique 58 metre aluminium monohull design, the Developed Cape-class Patrol Boats embody a number of enhancements that additional lengthen the potential of the vessel and the fleet.

Royal Australian Navy First Evolved Cape-class Patrol Boat Arrives in Her Home Port
Deputy Chief of Navy Rear Admiral Christopher Smith, CSM, RAN, inspects the ship’s firm, of Australian Defence Vessel Cape Otway throughout an official welcome to residence port HMAS Cairns. (Photograph by ABIS Susan Mossop/Australian Authorities Division of Defence)