Shipbuilding: Sixth Cape Class Patrol Boat Launched
Cape Class Patrol Boat - Cape Leveque being launched (Photo courtesy of Austal)
Cape Leveque being launched with recently delivered Cape Sorell in the background (Photo courtesy of Austal)
Cape Leveque during launch with Cape Sorell and Cape Jervis in the background (Photo courtesy of Austal)
Austal has launched the sixth in-series Cape Class Patrol Boat (CCPB) at the company’s Australian Defense Facility in Henderson, Western Australia. The launch of Cape Leveque marks the third year in a row a CCPB has been launched in the first week of January; preceded by Cape St George (CCPB01) in 2013 and Cape Byron (CCPB02) in 2014.
Cape Leveque is the sixth of eight 58-meter patrol boats that are being delivered to the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service (ACBPS) by Austal as Prime Contractor under a design, build and in-service sustainment contract, valued at approximately $330 million. Under the contract, Austal is also using its in-house expertise to develop and integrate sophisticated electronic systems for command, control and communication.
The launch ceremony marked the first time the boat has been lowered into the water. Following maritime tradition, specially minted coins were placed under the keel block of the vessel as a symbol of good fortune at a Keel Laying Ceremony on the 31st March 2014 attended by then Minister for Immigration and Border Protection, Scott Morrison, MP. The coins were removed prior to the launch and will be presented to the boat, ACBPS and Austal at a later date. The boat was lowered into the water using Austal’s slipway facility.
With the vessel in the water, Austal is on target to achieve full vessel completion and sea trials prior to an official naming ceremony and final delivery to ACBPS in mid 2015.
Meanwhile the remaining three Cape Class vessels are at various stages of construction and will be delivered progressively through to end of 2015.
Austal Australia President Graham Backhouse said, “The launch of Cape Leveque, again in accordance with a demanding production schedule is great testament to the productivity and efficiency of our workforce. The CCPB Program continues at pace and continues to demonstrate Austal’s capabilities of delivering in accordance with requirements on time and on budget. This capability is an important component of Austal’s strategy of being the partner of choice for Governments and competitive global Defense Prime Contractor that designs and constructs maritime assets, integrates systems and provides ongoing and effective through life support 24/7.”
Cape Leveque is a state of the art maritime defense capability that will play a significant role in protecting Australia’s borders from multiple maritime threats. It has been designed to have greater range, endurance and flexibility - as well as enhanced capability to operate in more severe sea conditions and across longer range - than the current fleet of Customs and Border Protection vessels and indeed the Royal Australian Navy Patrol Boat fleet.
Apart from the Cape Class Patrol Boats, Austal is prime contractor for three major defense Programs: the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) and Joint High Speed Vessel (JHSV) Programs for the United States Navy and two High Speed Support Vessels (HSSV) for the Royal Navy of Oman.
Austal was awarded the contract for the design, construction and through-life support of the Cape Class patrol boats for the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service in August 2011. The eight 58 meter aluminum monohulls are due to be delivered between March 2013 and August 2015.
The support contract extends for a minimum period of eight years and encompasses a full range of intermediate and depot level maintenance activities. Further options can be exercised by the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service for In-Service Support for the life of the Cape Class Patrol Boat Fleet.
The Cape Class Patrol Boats will have greater range, endurance and flexibility in responding to maritime security threats than the current fleet.
These vessels will also have enhanced capability to operate in higher sea states and survive in more severe conditions.
According to the builder, the Cape Class Patrol Boats will be able to undertake 28 day patrols; sail 4,000 nautical miles before having to refuel; combat the full range of maritime security threats; carry a larger crew to more effectively and safely manage boarding operations; Identify, track and intercept an extended range of threats in the maritime domain and gather intelligence and store evidence for matters that may proceed to the courts; and launch two Tender Response Vessels simultaneously.
Customs and Border Protection patrol boats may be deployed according to aerial surveillance, community reports and/or radar sightings.
They may be used to counter people, drug and weapons smuggling; apprehend foreign fishing vessels; gather information and intelligence; monitor environmental pollution; and assist management of offshore nature reserves and marine parks.
