AUSTAL SECURES ORDER FOR QUEENSLAND POLICE BOATS

Austal has signed a contract to build three 22 meter catamaran police boats for the Queensland Police Service, reinforcing Austal’s growing reputation in national and international patrol boat markets.

Austal was awarded the contract following a competitive national tender process for the construction of the Queensland Police Service catamaran police boats, designed by One2three Naval Architects in Sydney. The vessels will be built at Austal’s Tasmanian shipyard, underlining the diverse capabilities of this growing shipyard, which recently launched the first of two passenger catamaran ferries being built for Hong Kong.

With a cruising speed of 20 knots and a minimum range of 700 nautical miles, the police vessels have the capability to patrol remote, tropical locations for extended periods, as far north as Thursday Island.

Scheduled for delivery in 2009, the police boats will be powered by two MTU Series 60 diesel engines. Each vessel will have the capability to launch and retrieve a six metre rigid inflatable boat (RHIB).

Austal Executive Manager Stephen Lupi emphasised Austal’s ongoing focus on  competitiveness, which has seen Austal successfully deliver police boats ranging from 16 metres to 22 metres, including recent deliveries to the New South Wales Police and the Bermuda Water Police.

“While often recognised for the increasing size of our vessels, this order indicates Austal’s commitment to providing police vessels which meet individual maritime security needs both efficiently and economically,” Mr Lupi said.

“Austal’s powerful production capacity, which now includes a shipyard in Tasmania specialising in small to medium size construction, allows the fast delivery of multi–vessel orders built to the highest quality standards at a competitive cost,” he said.

Upon completion of this latest order, Austal will have built 37 vessels working in policing, customs and navy roles within Australian waters.

Following last year’s completion of the Royal Australian Navy’s 14-vessel Armidale Class Patrol Boat fleet, this latest order adds to Austal’s extensive portfolio of patrol vessels which address a broad cross-section of needs for heightened security and surveillance in ports and coastal waters.

Last month Austal successfully launched its landmark 127 metre trimaran Littoral Combat Ship “Independence” – a next generation combat ship built for the US Navy - at its facility in Mobile, Alabama. Austal also recently secured an order to build six 30 metre Fast Patrol Craft for the Government of Trinidad and Tobago, scheduled for delivery in 2010.

Sizeable orders from clients such as the Australian Customs Service, the Royal Australian Navy, Kuwait Coast Guard and the Republic of Yemen have firmly reinforced Austal’s position among the world's elite patrol boat suppliers.

Previous Defence Deliveries:

• 14 x 56m Armidale Class Patrol Boat for Royal Australian Navy
• 10 x 37.5m Patrol Boats for Yemen Ministry of Defence
• 3 x 22m Patrol Boats for Government of Kuwait
• 8 x 38m Patrol Boats for Australian Customs Service
• 13 x 16m Police Boats for New South Wales Water Police
• 2 x 22m Police Boats for New South Wales Water Police
• 1 x 16m Police Boat for Bermuda Water Police
• 1 x 101m Theatre Support Vessel “WestPac Express” for US Marines
• 1 x 127m Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) for US Navy (currently under construction)
• 6 x 30m Fast Patrol Craft for Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago (currently under construction)

About Austal Tasmania

Located in Margate, south of Hobart, Austal’s modern Tasmanian shipbuilding facility was purchased in February 2007 and boasts a history of quality aluminium ship construction.

Over the past year the shipyard has grown its workforce from 40 to more than 120 workers, with the recent launch of its inaugural vessel a significant milestone in the yard’s short history.

GENERAL VESSEL DESCRIPTION

Vessel type: Police Patrol Boat Material: Aluminium alloy Hull form: Catamaran

PRINCIPAL DIMENSIONS

Length Overall: 23.76 metres Length Waterline: 21.70 metres Beam: 7.8 metres Hull Depth Moulded: 3.17 metres Draft: 1.30 metres

CAPACITIES

Fuel: 7,000 litres Fresh Water: 1500 litres Sullage: 1500 litres

PROPULSION

Main engines: 2 x MTU Series 60 Gearboxes: 2 x Twin disc (Quick shift) MGX5135SC Propellers: 2 x Fixed Pitch

PERFORMANCE

Top Speed: 25 Knots Cruise speed: 20 Knots Range: 700 Nautical Mile

CLASSIFICATION

USL Code 2B & 1C