Australian Defence Vessel (ADV) Cape Pillar, named after Cape Pillar in Tasmania, is an evolved Cape-class patrol boat under construction for the Royal Australian Navy (RAN).[1][2]

ADV Cape Pillar at Austal shipyards in Henderson, Western Australia in July 2023
History
Australia
NamesakeCape Pillar
BuilderAustal, Henderson, Western Australia
LaunchedJune 2023
Commissioned13 October 2023
HomeportHMAS Coonawarra
Identification
General characteristics
Class and typeCape-class patrol boat
Length58.1 m (190 ft 7 in)
Beam10.6 m (34 ft 9 in)
Draught3.1 m (10 ft 2 in)
Propulsion2 x Caterpillar 3516C diesels 6,770 horsepower (5,050 kW) 2 shafts, 1 bow thruster
Speed26 knots (48 km/h; 30 mph)
Range4,000 nautical miles (7,400 km; 4,600 mi) at 12 knots (22 km/h; 14 mph)
Complement25 standard, 32 maximum
Armament2 × 12.7 mm (0.5 in) machine guns

The ship will be the sixth of ten evolved Cape-class patrol boats to be delivered to the Royal Australian Navy. Prior to Cape Pillar, 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, Cape Capricorn and Cape Woolamai.[1][2]

The ship is the last 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] In November 2023, the RAN ordered a further two evolved Cape-class patrols, at a cost of A$157.1 million.[4]

The ship is being built by Austal in Henderson, Western Australia and was launched in June 2023.[1][2]

She was commissioned on 13 October 2023 and is to be based at HMAS Coonawarra in Darwin, Northern Territory[5] The ship was officially welcomed at HMAS Coonawarra on 8 February 2024.[6]

References

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  1. ^ a b c "ADV Cape Pillar Launched by Austal". SeaWaves Magazine. 9 June 2023. Retrieved 5 July 2023.
  2. ^ a b c "Navy receives fifth Evolved Cape-class patrol boat". Australian Defence Magazine. 23 June 2023. Retrieved 5 July 2023.
  3. ^ "Evolved Cape-Class Patrol Boats, Australia". Naval Technology. 18 August 2022. Retrieved 5 July 2023.
  4. ^ "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.
  5. ^ Bahtić, Fatima (13 October 2023). "Austal delivers sixth evolved Cape-class patrol boat to Australia". Naval Today. Retrieved 16 October 2023.
  6. ^ Mike Hughes (8 February 2024). "New beginnings for new patrol boat". Contact. Minnamurra, New South Wales. Retrieved 12 February 2024.
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