Australian Defence Vessel (ADV) Cape Capricorn, named after Cape Capricorn in Queensland, is an evolved Cape-class patrol boat of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN).[1][2][3]
 ADV Cape Capricorn at Austal shipyards in Henderson, Western Australia in October 2022
| |
| History | |
|---|---|
 Australia | |
| Namesake | Cape Capricorn |
| Builder | Austal, Henderson, Western Australia |
| In service | 13 February 2023 |
| Homeport | HMAS Coonawarra |
| Identification |
|
| 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 horsepower (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 fourth of ten evolved Cape-class patrol boats to be delivered to the Royal Australian Navy. Prior to Cape Capricorn, 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 and Cape Naturaliste.[1][2][3]
The ship was built by Austal in Henderson, Western Australia, accepted on 13 February 2023 and based at HMAS Coonawarra in Darwin, Northern Territory. Cape Capricorn was officially welcomed in Darwin in June 2023, alongside her sister ship Cape Naturaliste, becoming the first evolved Cape-class patrol boats to be based there. The patrol boat's primary duty lies in fisheries protection, immigration, customs and drug law enforcement operations.[1][2][3]
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.[4] In November 2023, the RAN ordered a further two evolved Cape-class patrols, at a cost of A$157.1 million.[5]
On 12 December 2024, the Cape Capricorn will be commissioned into the Royal Australian Navy.[6]
References
edit- ^ a b c "New patrol boats welcomed to homeport". www.contactairlandandsea.com. Contact Publishing. 29 June 2023. Retrieved 1 July 2023.
- ^ a b c "Patrol boats welcomed to homeport". Department of Defence. 27 June 2023. Retrieved 1 July 2023.
- ^ a b c Dougherty, Robert (14 February 2023). "Royal Australian Navy welcomes ADV Cape Capricorn patrol boat". Defence Connect. Retrieved 1 July 2023.
- ^ "Evolved Cape-Class Patrol Boats, Australia". Naval Technology. 18 August 2022. Retrieved 1 July 2023.
- ^ "Securing continuous Naval Shipbuilding at Henderson Shipyard in Western Australia". Australian Defence Ministry. Archived from the original on 29 April 2024. Retrieved 15 June 2024.
- ^ "Royal Australian Navy will commission HMA Ships Cape Pillar, Cape Naturaliste, Cape Woolamai and Cape Capricorn". Facebook. Royal Australian Navy. Retrieved 28 November 2024.