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“Our team at the Henderson shipyard worked hard and intelligently to meet Customs’ request to advance delivery of Cape Byron to increase the capability of the border protection fleet,” Mr Bellamy said. “It was a great achievement that we were able to deliver Cape Byron ahead of the original timeline while implementing efficiencies identified during construction of the first-in-class Cape Class vessel. “Our ability to deliver Cape Byron early and continue to improve efficiencies across the program exemplifies Austal’s core value of being a competitive shipbuilder capable of winning domestic and export opportunities, which we believe is the only sustainable model for the long-term future of naval shipbuilding in Australia and the capability it delivers.”With the completion of Cape Byron, Austal has delivered 73 defence vessels including 42 patrol boats for Australian agencies. The remaining six Cape Class vessels are at various stages of construction and will be delivered progressively through to August 2015, in line with the contract. 
Cape Class Patrol Boats –Cape Byron (CCPB 2) (background) with sister ship Cape Nelson (CCPB 3) (foreground). Image by Austal Program Background
The support contract extends for a minimum period of eight years and encompasses a full range of intermediate and depot level maintenance activities. Further options can be exercised by the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service for In-Service Support for the life of the Cape Class Patrol Boat Fleet. The Cape Class Patrol Boats will have greater range, endurance and flexibility in responding to maritime security threats than the current fleet. These vessels will also have enhanced capability to operate in higher sea states and survive in more severe conditions. The Cape Class Patrol Boats will be able to: • Undertake 28 day patrols; • Sail 4,000 nautical miles before having to refuel; • Combat the full range of maritime security threats; • Carry an increased crew to more effectively and safely manage boarding operations; • Identify, track and intercept an extended range of threats in the maritime domain and gather intelligence and store evidence for matters that may proceed to the courts; and • Launch two Tender Response Vessels simultaneously. Customs and Border Protection patrol boats may be deployed according to aerial surveillance, community reports and/or radar sightings. They may be used to: • Counter people, drug and weapons smuggling; • Apprehend foreign fishing vessels; • Gather information and intelligence; • Monitor environmental pollution; and • Assist management of offshore nature reserves and marine parks. About Austal Austal is a global defence prime contractor and a designer and manufacturer of defence and commercial ships. For more than 25 years Austal has been a leader in the design, construction and maintenance of revolutionary ships for Governments, Navies and Ferry operators around the world. More than 250 vessels have been delivered in that time. Ships Defence vessels designed and built by Austal include multi-mission combatants, such as the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) for the United States Navy and military high speed vessels for transport and humanitarian relief, such as the Joint High Speed Vessel (JHSV) for the United States Navy and High Speed Support Vessel (HSSV) for the Royal Navy of Oman. Austal also designs, constructs, integrates and maintains an extensive range of patrol and auxiliary vessels for government agencies globally, including the Cape Class Patrol Boat Program for Australian Customs and Border Protection. Defence vessels are designed and constructed in Mobile, Alabama and in Henderson, Western Australia. Austal has been at the forefront of the high speed ferry market since the early days of the industry. Our market leading designs of high performance aluminium vessels have long been at the heart of Austal’s research and development. Today, commercial ship construction is centred on our shipyard in Balamban, Philippines. Systems Austal has expertise in integrating complex systems into its ships, including ride control, ship management, and communication, sensors and weapon systems. Support Austal provides a wide range of support services, including through life support, integrated logistics support, vessel sustainment and systems support. These services are delivered through our global support network in the USA, Australia, Asia, the Caribbean and the Middle East together with partner shipyards worldwide. Austal press release |
