Defence & Industry = ADV Cape Hawke No 10 of the Evolved Cape class

On Friday 27 February just gone, Defence accepted the tenth and final Evolved Cape class Patrol Boat for the Royal Australian Navy, ADV Cape Hawke, in a ceremony at Henderson shipyard just south of Fremantle, and today she sailed across the Sound to HMAS Stirling.

(L-R) Commodore Ivan Ingham, Senior Officer Western Australia, Mr. Adrian Strang, General Counsel and Company Secretary, Austal, Lieutenant Commander Les Howard, Commanding Officer ADV Cape Hawke, Ms. Chen Xu, Assistant Secretary for Ships Acquisition Specialist Ships Branch and Commodore EdwardSeymour, Director General Maritime Surface and Above Water Combat stand with ADV Cape Hawke and its ships company after the completion of the ADV Cape Hawke Acceptance Ceremony at the Austal Shipyard, Henderson, Western Australia. Credit POIS Matthew Lyall

Delivery of the tenth and final Evolved Cape class Patrol Boat for the Royal Australian Navy is offered by Defence as a key example of a shared commitment between Defence and industry to delivering capability to the ADF on time and on budget in accordance with the 2024 Naval Shipbuilding and Sustainment Plan.

Built by Austal Ships Pty Ltd under project SEA1445 Phase 1, Defence emphasises that the Evolved Cape class Patrol Boats contribute to the whole-of Government effort to protect Australia’s borders and offshore interests.

The Shipping News’ eyes on the Naval waters off Freo, Tim Slater captured these great shots this morning of the Cape Hawke making her way from Henderson to HMAS Stirling across the Cockburn Sound.

ADV Cape Hawke will work alongside the nine Evolved Cape-class Patrol Boats currently operated by the Royal Australian Navy, and with the Arafura Class Offshore Patrol Vessel fleet, enhancing the capability for civil maritme security operations in Australia.

Under project SEA1445 Phase 1, the Evolved Cape class Patrol Boats have been delivered approximately every six months, contributing to Australia’s ability to effectively protect our borders and offshore interests.

Deputy Secretary for Naval Shipbuilding and Sustainment, David Hanley said that the delivery of the Evolved Cape Class Patrol Boats was “an excellent example of our partnership with defence industry in action”, and “also supports the Government’s Future Made in Australia agenda, and our commitment to growth within the defence industry, through the delivery of Defence shipbuilding projects on‑shore and boosting our sovereign supply chain.”

Words by Michael Barker, Editor, Fremantle Shipping News. Great pics by Tim Slater.

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