Austal’s Cape Class Patrol Boat
Austal is to supply the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service with a fleet of eight Cape Class Patrol Boats to be built at its shipyard in Henderson, Western Australia. The 350 million Australian $ (approximately US $ 375 million) contract includes through life support for a minimum period of eight years with options to extend for various periods up until the expiration of the 20-year life of the vessels. Construction of the first hull is due to commence this month with completion planned for March 2013.
Caption: The Austal Cape Class patrol boat has a maximum speed of 25 kn and range of
over 4,000 nautical miles at a cruising speed of 12 kn.
Image credit: Austal
The Cape Class is designed to have a greater range, endurance and flexibility, than the present Austal designed Bay Class that has been in service for over ten years. A motion control system comprising roll fins and trim flaps provides enhanced sea keeping capabilities in more severe weather conditions.
The new vessels have an LOA of 190 ft (58 m), beam 34 ft (10.3 m)10 ft and draft of 9.8 ft (3.0 m). Power is supplied by twin Caterpillar 3516C diesel engines, each rated at 2,525 kW (3,385 hp) at 1,800 rpm driving fixed pitch propellers via ZF 9055A reverse reduction gears. The maximum speed is 25 kn and range is over 4,000 nautical miles at a cruising speed of 12 kn.
Two 7.3 m RIBS are carried for interception / boarding duties in addition to an inflatable ship’s boat. Each vessel will be named after Australian geographical capes: Cape St George (ACT), Cape Byron (NSW), Cape Nelson (Victoria), Cape Sorell (Tasmania), Cape Jervis (SA), Cape Leveque (WA), Cape Wessel (NT) and Cape York (Queensland).
Delivery date for the completion of the contract for all eight vessels is in the third quarter of 2015.
Caption: drawing of the Austal Cape Class patrol boat
Image credit: Austal
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