Austal held a keel-laying ceremony for the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service’s (ACBPS) fifth Cape Class Patrol Boat, the Cape Jervis, on 17 January 2014.
The Cape Class Patrol Boats Contract, which includes design, construction and through-life support of eight 58- meter patrol boats, was awarded to Austal in August 2011.
National Director of Border Force Capability – ACBPS, Mr. Nigel Perry, said that Cape Jervis represents South Australia in the Cape Class Patrol Boat Program.
Ben Wardle, Program Manager at Austal, added that the Cape Class Program was successful collaboration that in a short space of time had taken the program from one to six vessels in production.
The Cape Patrol Boats play a significant role in protecting Australian borders from multiple maritime threats. They are designed to have greater range, endurance and flexibility.
[mappress] Naval Today Staff, January 21, 2014; Image: Austal