Nice day for Aitana’s sea trial in Cockburn Sound

Freo Today. 15 April 2024. AUSTAL, at Henderson, is a big builder of boats, including for Australia’s Defence. The boats they build at Henderson include the Guardian Class Patrol Boat – pictured here courtesy of AUSTAL. Today, Aitana, one of these Patrol Boats, will be doing trials in Cockburn Sound after she leaves AUSTAL’s fit out pier around 2 pm. Her next stop looks like being Dili, Timor-Leste. Timor-Leste is to receive Aitana and a second Guardian Class Patrol Boat, Laline, later this year as part of Australia’s regional Maritime Security Program with Timor-Leste. The Royal Australian Navy (RAN) and Timor-Leste Defence Force (F-FDTL) naval component have partnered together to prepare the NRDTL Aitana and Laline crews for the patrol boat handovers.