Austal lay patrol boat keel

Austal is building the high performance patrol boats for the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service. The launch of the patrol boats is scheduled for later this year prior to sea trials with delivery to Customs and Border Protection in March 2013.

Construction of the first Cape Class Patrol Boat will continue in accordance with schedule. Austal’s advanced shipbuilding techniques means production of ship units begins well before they are actually joined.

Speaking at the keel-laying ceremony, Andrew Bellamy, CEO of Austal, said: We are also taking the prime contracting role and using in-house expertise to develop and integrate sophisticated electronic systems for command, control and communication. We are also building on our existing capabilities to establish and operate a comprehensive and effective in-service support system for the fleet.”

The Cape Class Patrol Boats have been designed to help protect Australia’s borders from maritime threats. The boats will have a greater range in excess of 4000 nautical miles, aluminium monohulls which can operate at 25 knots and will be capable of operating in more severe sea conditions than the current Customs and Border Protection fleet.