Austal Australia has delivered the seventh of ten evolved Cape-class patrol boats (ECCPB’s) under contract to the Royal Australian Navy.
The vessel, ADV Cape Solander, was officially accepted by the Commonwealth of Australia at Austal’s Henderson, Western Australia shipyard.
The Evolved Capes feature new, larger amenities to accommodate up to 32 people, improved quality of life systems and advanced sustainment intelligence systems.
Austal Limited Chief Executive Officer Paddy Gregg said Cape Solander was the first of two evolved Cape-class patrol boats scheduled for delivery to the Royal Australian Navy in CY2024.
“The Austal Australia team are continuing to demonstrate outstanding capability, productivity and efficiency with the Evolved Cape-class Patrol Boat Project, that now comprises ten vessels for the Royal Australian Navy,” Gregg added.
The SEA1445-1 Evolved Cape-class Patrol Boat (ECCPB) project, initially constructing six 58-metre aluminum monohull patrol boats for the Royal Australian Navy from May 2020, was extended by two vessels in April 2022 and a further two vessels in February 2024, bringing the total to ten vessels.
ADV Cape Schanck, the eighth ECCPB, is scheduled for delivery in the second half of CY2024 and two further vessels remain under construction at Austal’s Henderson, Western Australia shipyard.
Austal Australia is also contracted to deliver 24 steel Guardian-class patrol boats to the Commonwealth of Australia under the Pacific Patrol Boat Replacement Project (SEA3036-1) and has delivered 20 vessels since 2018.