The Royal Australian Navy’s first Evolved Cape-class patrol boat (ECCPB), Australian Defence Vessel Cape Otway, was officially welcomed to its home port of Cairns on 24 June 2022.
Australian Defence Vessel (ADV) Cape Otway is the first of eight evolved Cape Class Patrol Boats being acquired to continue the Navy’s contribution to the nation’s fisheries protection, immigration, customs, and drug law enforcement operations. The vessels work hand-in-hand with other Government agencies as part of the Australian Border Force.
ADV Cape Otway will be seamlessly integrated into service as a result of the close working relationship between Navy and the Australian Border Force which also operates a fleet of the Armidale Class Patrol Boats.
Most importantly, Patrols Boats are a primary enabler of the Australian Defence Force’s contribution to Operation SOVEREIGN BORDERS, which is a whole of government effort to protect Australia’s borders and offshore interests.
Deputy Chief of Navy Rear Admiral Chris Smith was one of the special guests at the ceremony held at Defence Establishment HMAS Cairns to welcome Cape Otway to its home port.
“Navy has a proud and long-established connection with Cairns stretching back before World War 2. The city is a fitting home port for Australian Defence Vessel Cape Otway, the first of our Evolved Cape-Class Patrol Boats”, Rear Admiral Smith said.
The ECCPB’s will be replacing the Navy’s Armidale-class patrol boats and come with enhancements and greater operational capabilities.
The new vessels included improved communications system and more berths, which can accommodate up to 32 crew members.
It took approximately 18 months to build Cape Otway at Austal’s Henderson shipyard in Western Australian.
Please see below a few interesting statistics on the new ECCPB Cape Otway.
| Dimensions & Displacement | |
|---|---|
| Length | 58.1 metres |
| Beam | 10.6 metres |
| Draught | 3.1 metres |
| Performance | |
| Speed | 26 knots (top speed) |
| Range | 4000 nautical miles (12 knots) |
| Complement | |
| Crew | 25 |
| Propulsion | |
| Machinery | 2 x Caterpillar 3516C diesels; 2 shafts; 1 bow thruster |
| Horsepower | 6770 |
| Armament | |
| Guns | Two 12.7mm machine guns |
Deputy Chief of Navy Rear Admiral Christopher Smith inspects the ship’s company of Australian Defence Vessel Cape Otway during the boat’s official welcome to its home port of Cairns.
Photo: Able Seaman Susan Mossop
