Austal Australia has delivered the first of six Evolved Cape-class Patrol Boats (ECCPBs) to the Royal Australian Navy.
The vessel, ADV Cape Otway, was officially accepted and named by the Minister for Defense, The Hon. Peter Dutton MP at a ceremony held at Austal’s Henderson, Western Australia, shipyard.
“Sheds don’t build ships, people do. And it’s great to celebrate […] with representatives from Austal, the Department of Defense, our proud supply chain partners and many more businesses in the defense industry across Australia,” Austal Limited Chief Executive Officer, Paddy Gregg, said. “This first Evolved Cape-class Patrol Boat was a true team effort, drawing on the expertise, drive and commitment of hundreds of talented people who are fundamentally contributing to the national security of this country. Apprentices, university graduates, trainees, tradespeople and professionals; we’re not just building patrol boats, we’re designing and constructing (and indeed, sustaining) naval assets that are keeping Australia’s border secure.”
The 58-meter aluminium monohull patrol boat is the first of six to be delivered to the Royal Australian Navy under a A$324 million contract awarded to Austal Australia in May 2020. With greater capability than the benchmark Cape-class Patrol Boats, the Evolved Capes feature new, larger amenities to accommodate up to 32 people, improved quality of life systems and advanced sustainment intelligence systems that will further enhance the capabilities of the Royal Australian Navy.
The vessel was constructed in approximately 18 months, employing approximately 400 people directly in Western Australia, and engaging more than 300 supply chain partners across Australia. In 2022, Austal Australia is scheduled to deliver a nine new naval ships to the Commonwealth of Australia, including four ECCPBs for the Royal Australian Navy (SEA1445-1) and five Guardian-class Patrol Boats to the Department of Defense under the Pacific Patrol Boat Replacement Project (SEA3036-1).
