Austal has hosted the keel-laying ceremony for the third
vessel, Cape Nelson, one of eight 56-metre patrol boats that Austal is
designing, building and supporting for the Australian Customs and Border
Protection Service.
In a short space of time, the program has gone from one
vessel being in production to now five vessels.
The Cape Class Patrol Boats will have greater range,
endurance and flexibility in responding to maritime security threats than the
current fleet.
These vessels will also have enhanced capability to operate
in higher sea states and survive in more severe conditions.
The Cape Class Patrol Boats will be able to:
- Undertake 28 day patrols;
- Sail 4,000 nautical miles before having to refuel;
- Combat the full range of maritime security threats;
- Carry a larger crew to more effectively and safely manage boarding operations;
- Identify, track and intercept an extended range of threats in the maritime domain and gather intelligence and store evidence for matters that may proceed to the courts; and
- Launch two Tender Response Vessels simultaneously.