Austal christens third Cape Class patrol vessel

Austal has named its third-in-series Cape Class Patrol Boat (CCPB) as Cape Nelson at the company’s Australian Defence Facility in Henderson, Australia.

Intended for deployment by the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service (ACBPS), the latest vessel has been built as part of a $330m contract awarded to design, build and support eight vessels in August 2011.

Since being launched in May, the 56m-long CCPB has completed final fit out, sea trials and had been delivered to ACBPS in September.

ACBPS Border Enforcement deputy chief executive officer Nigel Perry said: "The Cape Class represents an enormous improvement in capability over the current Bay Class patrol boats operated by Customs and Border Protection.

"They are significantly larger than our current Bay Class patrol boats. They have greater range, are faster, able to deploy for longer and have larger crews.

"Overall they are much better equipped to deal with the threats encountered in our vast maritime domain now, and into the future."

Capable of undergoing 28 day patrols; sail 4,000nm before being refuelled; and fight the complete range of maritime security threats, CCPBs will further offer improved range, endurance and flexibility in response to threats.

They can also carry an increased crew to more effectively and safely deal with boarding operations as well as launch two tender response vessels simultaneously.

In addition to help in dealing with offshore nature reserves and marine parks, the vessels are capable of challenging people, drug and weapons smuggling; detain foreign fishing vessels; collect information and intelligence; and keep in check environmental pollution.

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Image: Officials during the christening of Austal’s third Cape Class patrol vessel for Australian Customs and Border Protection Service (ACBPS). Photo: courtesy of Austal.