iscover
The Australian Defence Force has conducted a triple decommissioning ceremony in Darwin for Armidale Class patrol boats HMA ships Albany, Bathurst and Childers.
The Royal Australian Navy ships were commemorated at their home port of HMAS Coonawarra in Darwin on 4 December this year.
HMA ships Albany and Bathurst were originally commissioned in 2006. HMAS Childers commissioned in 2007. This decommissioning completes Navy’s transition to the Evolved Cape Class patrol boats that will continue to patrol and secure Australia’s maritime borders.
“The Armidale Class patrol boats have played an integral part in protecting Australia’s borders and serving the Navy proudly in high tempo operations for over 20 years,” Chief of Navy Vice Admiral Mark Hammond said.
“We say thank you to the crews past and present who have brought these ships to life and to the many families who have supported their service.
“While the watch is complete for these ships, Australia’s patrol boat force remains strong, vigilant and capable.”
Over the past 20 years, the patrol boats have worked alongside other government agencies to support Operation Sovereign Borders and Operation Resolute, protecting Australia against unauthorised entry, breaches of customs, fisheries protection, and upholding immigration and drugs legislation.
The Armidale Class has supported allies and partners across the Indo-Pacific region, working with partner navies to enhance interoperability. The three decommissioning ships have participated in more than 70 maritime exercises with more than 30 partner navies during their tenure.
The Armidale Class patrol boats were also showcased in the Australian drama Sea Patrol, which featured the fictional HMAS Hammersley from 2008–11.
Over the course of their careers, each Armidale has sailed an average of 4,800 days, travelled more than 800,000 nautical miles, conducted over 500 boardings and visited approximately 40 international ports.
