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 | |
|---|---|
 Australia | |
| Namesake | Cape Woolamai |
| Builder | Austal, Henderson, Western Australia |
| Commissioned | 22 June 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 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 ten 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, accepted 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] In November 2023, the RAN ordered a further two evolved Cape-class patrols, at a cost of A$157.1 million.[4]
On 12 December 2024, the Cape Woolamai will be commissioned into the Royal Australian Navy.[5]
References
edit- ^ a b c "Australia gains its fifth Cape-class patrol boat". Naval Technology. 23 June 2023. Retrieved 1 July 2023.
- ^ a b c "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.
- ^ "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.