Last week, the Royal Australian Navy commissioned two new Evolved Cape-class Patrol Boats into the fleet, His Majesty’s Australian Ships (HMAS) Schanck and Solander. The two ships were commissioned at a ceremony at their homeport of HMAS Coonawarra in the NT. HMAS Schanck and Solander will work alongside the six Evolved Cape-class Patrol Boats currently operated by the Navy, enhancing capability for maritime surveillance and border patrols. “The Evolved Cape Class Patrol boats, named for capes around Australia’s coastline, have quickly become the backbone of Navy’s commitment to Operation Resolute.

The ships have been operating as Australian Defence Vessels (ADV), and will continue to be used for the full spectrum of patrol boat operations, including border, resources and fisheries protection, customs and drug law enforcement operations, and international engagement. They were built by Austal Australia at Henderson shipyard in Western Australia under project SEA1445-1.

HMAS Cape Schanck

HMA Ships Cape Schanck and Cape Solander alongside at HMAS Coonawarra at their commissioning ceremony

HMAS Cape Schanck