Shipbuilder Austal Australia has delivered the eighth Evolved Cape-class Patrol Boat to Royal Australian Navy (RAN), the company announced on 1 November.
The vessel, ADV Cape Schanck (313), is the eighth of ten Evolved Cape-class Patrol Boats ordered by the RAN to be constructed at Austal’s Henderson, Western Australia shipyard in four and half years.
The Evolved Cape-class Patrol Boat is a 58-metre aluminium monohull vessel thats feature larger and crew spaces to accommodate up to 32 crew and embarked personnel, as well as improved quality of life systems and advanced sustainment intelligence systems that aim to enhance crew performance at sea.
Austal Australia noted that the type will be utilised for a wide variety of constabulary and naval missions
“Austal Australia, with the help of our valued supply chain, industry and project partners, have now delivered eight Evolved Capes to the Royal Australian Navy in just four and half years,” said Austal Limited Chief Executive Officer Paddy Gregg.
“That’s an outstanding track record of productivity, with one 58 metre patrol boat delivered (on average) every six to seven months,” added Gregg, noting that the contract had been awarded in May 2020 during the COVID pandemic.
The SEA1445-1 project initially called for the construction of six patrol boats for the RAN from May 2020, but was extended by two vessels in April 2022 and a further two vessels in February 2024, bringing the total to ten vessels. The last two patrol boats on order remain under construction at Austal’s Henderson, Western Australia shipyard.
Austal Australia is also contracted to deliver 24 steel hulled Guardian-class Patrol Boats to the Australian government under the Project SEA3036-1Pacific Patrol Boat Replacement programme and has delivered 21 vessels since 2018.
The company’s patrol boats – Cape, Evolved Cape, and Guardian-classes – are well-supported by dedicated service centres located in Henderson, Western Australia; Cairns, Queensland; and Darwin, Northern Territory.
by Jr Ng
