ADV Cape Woolamai
Australian Defence Vessel (ADV) Cape Woolamai, named after Cape Woolamai in Victoria, is an evolved Cape-class patrol boat of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN).[1][2]
ADV Cape Woolamai at Austal shipyards in Henderson, Western Australia in February 2023 | |
History | |
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Australia | |
Namesake | Cape Woolamai |
Builder | Austal, Henderson, Western Australia |
Commissioned | 22 June 2023 |
Homeport | HMAS Coonawarra |
Identification |
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General characteristics | |
Class and type | Cape-class patrol boat |
Length | 58.1 m (190 ft 7 in) |
Beam | 10.6 m (34 ft 9 in) |
Draught | 3.1 m (10 ft 2 in) |
Propulsion | 2 x Caterpillar 3516C diesels 6,770 hp (5,050 kW) 2 shafts, 1 bow thruster |
Speed | 26 knots (48 km/h; 30 mph) |
Range | 4,000 nmi (7,400 km; 4,600 mi) at 12 knots (22 km/h; 14 mph) |
Complement | 25 standard, 32 maximum |
Armament | 2 × 12.7 mm (0.5 in) machine guns |
The ship is the fifth of eight evolved Cape-class patrol boats to be delivered to the Royal Australian Navy. Prior to Cape Woolamai, the RAN already operated the Cape-class patrol boats Cape Fourcroy and Cape Inscription as well as the evolved Cape-class patrol boats Cape Otway, Cape Peron, Cape Naturaliste and Cape Capricorn.[1][2]
The ship was built by Austal in Henderson, Western Australia, commissioned on 22 June 2023 and is to be based at HMAS Coonawarra in Darwin, Northern Territory.[1][2]
The ship is one of the original six evolved Cape-class patrol boats the RAN ordered in April 2020 to replace the Armidale-class patrol boats in this role, at a projected cost of A$324 million. This order was subsequently expanded by another two boats in April 2022, at an additional projected cost of $124 million.[3]
References
- "Australia gains its fifth Cape-class patrol boat". Naval Technology. 23 June 2023. Retrieved 1 July 2023.
- "New patrol boat strengthens border protection". Department of Defence. 15 March 2023. Retrieved 1 July 2023.
- "Evolved Cape-Class Patrol Boats, Australia". Naval Technology. 18 August 2022. Retrieved 1 July 2023.