After five months in Western Australia preparing for service, the close-knit crew of evolved Cape-class patrol boat (ECCPB) Australian Defence Vessel (ADV) Cape Naturaliste has set sail for its home port of Darwin. The Evolved Cape-class patrol boat (ECCPB) crew members will work with other government agencies as part of Operation Resolute to contribute to the nation’s fisheries protection, immigration, customs and drug law enforcement operations. Because of limited resources, all members are required to work closely together to achieve a common outcome. Delivery of all the eight ECCPBs to the service is expected to complete by mid-2024.
Commanding Officer Cape Naturaliste Lieutenant Commander Jeremy Evain said,”The crew felt proud to serve on the mission. Personnel management is the most satisfying part of my role. Helping and coaching my 25 crew members to develop into an effective team is extremely rewarding, despite the personal toll that it takes. The Navy can deploy a variety of capabilities to anywhere in the world. Our vessels are self-sufficient and can remain on station for extended periods without re-supply. This permits the Navy to achieve a wide array of activities throughout multiple regions in a single deployment. The Navy is important because it is a key enabler of force projection.”
Cape Naturaliste crew member Able Seaman Boatswains Mate Alyssa Richardson said,”Assisting in bringing the boat into service had helped develop and expand her knowledge as a boatswains mate and navigator’s yeoman. I have had the opportunity to work with experienced members and learn the specifics of my core role as a boatswains mate on board an ECCPB vessel. It has broadened my skill set coming from the Armidale-class. Navy were the healthy work-life balance, equal opportunity for respite, and travelling overseas and getting the opportunity to work with other nations and navies.”
The Evolved Cape-class patrol boat is an upgraded version of the Cape-class patrol boats built by Australian shipbuilder Austal. Based on an aluminium monohull design, the vessel has an overall length of 57.8m, overall beam of 10.3m and draught of 3m. The vessel has a crew capacity of 32 individuals and can carry two 7.3m Gemini sea boats. The motion control system includes two 3.25m² Austal roll fins and two 4.5m² trim flaps. The engine features a 170mm (6.6in) bore and 215mm (8.46in) stroke with a lube oil system refill capacity of 779.8l. The vessel can achieve a maximum speed of 25k and sail for more than 4,000 nautical miles (12,874km) at a speed of 12k.
