Australia receives fourth Austal Cape-class patrol vessel

The Australian Customs and Border Protection Service (ACBPS) has taken delivery of Cape Sorell, which is fourth of the eight Cape Class Patrol Boats, from Austal.

Built as part a $330m design, build and in-service support contract awarded in August 2011, the new patrol vessel bolsters agency’s maritime security efforts.

The vessel will deliver enhanced range, endurance and flexibility in response to maritime security threats, while boosting operations in vital long range sea environments.

Austal chief executive officer Andrew Bellamy said: "With the delivery of Cape Sorell Austal achieves a significant milestone where half the Cape Class Patrol Boat fleet has now been delivered to Australian Customs and Border Protection Service.

"Austal continues to deliver the Cape Class Program on time and on budget.

"Delivering on time ensures our customer can reliably continue to deliver on the Border Protection obligations it undertakes to the Commonwealth of Australia."

Austal will also be tasked with delivering eight-year in-service support, which involves provision of full range of intermediate and depot level maintenance activities.

Mainly intended to replace ACBPS’ ageing fleet of Bay-class patrol vessels, the Cape-class patrol boats are capable of being deployed across the Australian exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and carryout a range of security and surveillance missions.

The CCPBs have the potential to undertake 28 day patrols and sail 4,000nm before being refuelling, while combating the full range of maritime security threats; carry more crew to more effectively and safely manage boarding missions; and launch two tender response vessels simultaneously.

These vessels can also be deployed to thwart illegal maritime access, piracy, maritime terrorism, marine pollution, illegal foreign fishing, unlawful import or export and illegal activity in protected locales.

Currently at various construction phases, the remaining four Cape Class vessels are scheduled for delivery by the end of late 2015.

---

Image:The new Cape Sorell patrol vessel bolsters ACBPS’s maritime security efforts. Phoo: courtesy of Austal.