Australian Department of Defence,
Two new Armidale Class Patrol Boats have been officially named today and will be in service by the end of the year, providing a further boost to border protection in Australia's northern waters.
Defence Minister Robert Hill today welcomed the official naming of NUSHIPs Larrakia and Bathurst, the second and third of the Armidale Class Patrol Boats (ACPB).
The naming ceremony held at the Austal Ships construction facility, Western Australia was attended by the Minister for Ageing and Member for Curtin, Julie Bishop, on behalf of Senator Hill.
“These new Armidale Class Patrol Boats offer increased patrol range, surveillance, and boarding capability in comparison to the Fremantle Class Patrol Boats they are replacing,” Senator Hill said.
“The two Armidale Class Patrol Boats named today will join HMAS Armidale in service before the end of the year, further strengthening Navy's capability to intercept and apprehend vessels suspected of illegal fishing, and quarantine, customs or immigration offences.”
Today's ceremony follows the successful commissioning of the first of the ACPB HMAS Armidale in June this year and commemorates the launch of these two vessels on 20th August and 8th October respectively.
The vessels were named Larrakia by Ms Donna Odegaard JP, a member of the Larrakia Nation, and Bathurst by Judith Bagley, wife of Lieutenant Commander Ron Bagley (Rtd.), one of the commissioning crew of the original HMAS Bathurst.
NUSHIP Larrakia has already successfully completed ship trials and has met performance requirements. She commences her delivery voyage in two days to be offered for acceptance in Darwin on 24 October 2005. NUSHIP Bathurst is scheduled for acceptance in December 2005 following the completion of her ship trials over next two months.
“I congratulate DMS, the principal contractor for supply and long term support, and Austal Ships which are responsible for the design and construction, for their dedication to this $550 million project,” Senator Hill said.
