Austal delivers fifth Cape patrol boat to RAN

Perth shipbuilder Austal has delivered the fifth of eight Evolved cape class patrol boats (ECCPB’s) on order for the Royal Australian Navy.

ADV Cape Woolamai (pictured) built at the Henderson shipyard in Perth was officially accepted by the Commonwealth on Thursday.

Austal Chief Executive Officer Paddy Gregg said the delivery demonstrated the shipyard’s capacity, capability, and expertise to construct naval vessels for Australia to the highest quality, efficiently.

Gregg said: “This latest vessel, the ADV Cape Woolamai, is the fifth we have delivered in just 15 months.

“We’re launching and delivering a new patrol boat every three months, following approximately 12 months construction.

“Austal’s highly skilled and efficient local production team, supported by our trusted supply chain partners, are achieving outstanding productivity in the delivery of the Evolved Cape class patrol boat Project for the Royal Australian Navy.”

Austal is track to deliver all eight of the vessels on schedule in mid 2024.

The sixth of the class, the ADV Cape Pillar, was launched at Henderson earlier this month and will be utilised for a wide variety of constabulary and naval missions.

Austal Australia employs approximately 400 people directly in Western Australia and is engaging more than 300 supply chain partners across Australia to deliver the Evolved Cape class patrol boat project (SEA1445-1) for the Royal Australian Navy.

Austal Australia is also contracted to deliver 22 steel Guardian class patrol boats to the Commonwealth under the Pacific Patrol Boat Replacement Project (SEA3036-1) and has delivered 15 vessels since 2018.

Further reading:
Austal wins sixth US Navy contract for towage vessels
Austal to construct additional Guardian class patrol boat

Picture: Austal