HMAS Armidale Commissioned

First of twelve patrol boats enters service with Royal Australian Navy.

Following the official Naming Ceremony of Nuship “Armidale” held at the Austal shipyard on 21 January the first of the Royal Australian Navy’s twelve Armidale Class Patrol Boats has completed all trials to be officially commissioned in a ceremony held today, in Darwin, Australia.

The centuries-old traditional naval ceremony marks the introduction into service of a ship as a unit of the RAN. At the moment of breaking the commissioning pennant, HMAS “Armidale” becomes the responsibility of the Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Commander Andrew Maher, who, together with the Officers and Ship’s Company, has the duty of making and keeping her ready for any service required by Australia. The distinction of a RAN ship in commission, other than the Australian White Ensign, is a flag or pennant at the masthead. The modern RAN commissioning pennant is the red cross of St. George at the hoist with a white fly.

The commissioning ceremony for the 56 metre all-aluminium monohull was attended by Guest of Honour, Ms Jana Stone. Ms Stone, who also attended the Naming Ceremony, participated on this occasion as the Commissioning Lady in what will be a life-long association with HMAS “Armidale”. She is the eldest daughter of Ordinary Seaman Donald Lawson who served on the original HMAS “Armidale”, a Bathurst Class corvette, during World War II.

At the ceremony senior figures from the government, navy, defence and industry were on hand to witness the event including, Minister of Defence, The Hon. Senator Robert Hill; Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Chris Ritchie AO RAN; Acting Maritime Commander, Commodore Peter Lockwood and Chief of Airforce, Air Marshall A.G. Houston AO AFC.

Following commissioning as an operational ship HMAS “Armidale” will then undergo crew evaluation before commencing operational patrols to protect Australia’s borders.

Based in the ports of Darwin and Cairns, the Armidale Class fleet will operate within Australia’s Marine Jurisdictional Zones and on the high seas in latitudes not exceeding 50 degrees, primarily carrying out surveillance, interception, investigation, apprehension and the escort to port of vessels suspected of illegal fisheries, quarantine, customs or immigration offences.

Austal’s Executive Chairman, John Rothwell AO, commented on the success of the project to date. “Whilst it was initially pleasing to meet the time and budget objectives upon the launch of this vessel it is even more satisfying for Austal to have now, not only exceeded key aspects of the contract performance requirements, but also the expectations of those involved with her operation,” he said.

Adrian Kloeden, the Chairman of Defence Maritime Services, commended current achievements.

“With the arrival of the first vessel in Darwin and now commissioned into the Navy fleet the positive impression is obvious to all those that have been involved in the Armidale Class project. Not only the boat’s physical presence and size increase over the outgoing Fremantle Class but also the impressive reports from Navy sailors involved in the demanding trials program,” he said.

Commenting on behalf of Navy, Defence Minister, Robert Hill said, “"The Armidale Class have more modern systems and will be able to operate for longer at sea than the current Fremantle Class patrol boats and, have a longer range of some 3,000 nautical miles. The new patrol boats will be multi-crewed resulting in benefits from an overall higher usage of the boats and a more coherent training and respite regime for Navy personnel."

"This Project is demonstrating the ability of Australian industry to design, construct and deliver an important fleet of ships for the Navy on time, on budget and with excellent capability," Senator Hill said.

Yard and Mission Trial Update

The first of the Armidale Class Patrol Boats arrived in Darwin on May 10 where it completed the final stage of its mission trial. Following yard trials the Mission Trial is the final activity in the trials program. This saw the vessel sailing from Austal’s shipyard in Henderson, Western Australia on 22 April, initially undertaking a passage into the Southern Ocean to test the ship and procedures in cold and rough sea conditions before sailing north.

Initially during yard trials it became evident that HMAS “Armidale’s” performance was greater than that specified in the contract. Testament to Austal’s commercial focus and scrupulous attention to detail during the build the vessel was able to deliver a speed margin of 2 knots above that specified.

Whilst the additional speed is welcome it is how this translates into real life operation that is more beneficial. The more practical applications are a greater weight margin over future vessel upgrades and the increase in range and engine life that can be attained due to the reduction in loads at normal cruising speed.

In addition to speed, the sea keeping of the vessel was shown to be excellent in the large seas experienced during the mission trial in southern waters. At all headings the Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Commander John Navin was able to maintain steady control.

In the words of one sailor they were all impressed by the ride steaming at 12 knots into 3-5m head seas at latitude 38 degrees south but after HMAS “Armidale” turned and it became 12 knots with a following sea, he said "If we were on a Fremantle Class in these conditions we would be hove to without a doubt!"

With an unmanned engine room, large galley and shared cabins with private ensuites, habitability and amenities are also proving to be above expectation for the crew who anticipate being at sea for 21 day missions when in service.