Austal has launched Hull 544, the final Guardian-class patrol boat built for Defence Australia’s Pacific Patrol Boat Replacement Project.
This vessel is the last in a programme that began in May 2017 and brings the total number of Guardian-class patrol boats produced to 24.
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Since the outset, Austal has delivered 22 vessels to date, with each deployment intended to enhance maritime security throughout the Pacific region.
The new Guardian-class vessels are larger than those in the existing fleet and have been designed with a steel monohull to provide improved seakeeping and longer operational endurance.
Each patrol boat measures 39.5 metres (m) in length, with an overall beam of 8m, a loaded draught of 2.5m, and a cargo deck area of 16m2.
Accommodation is available for up to 23 crew members on board.
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By GlobalDataThe equipment onboard includes a Work RIBS (WRH635FRB) fast rescue boat certified by SOLAS standards.
This boat is powered by two 90-horsepower Yamaha outboard motors and can transport up to 15 personnel.
The main weapon on the patrol boats is a 30mm calibre gun, supported by two 0.50 calibre general-purpose machine guns located on both port and starboard sides.
Propulsion is provided by two Caterpillar 3516C engines, each capable of producing 2,000bkW at 1,600rpm.
Australian shipbuilder Austal has overseen the Pacific Patrol Boats Replacement project in an effort to supply updated vessels for use by Pacific Island nations.
The new patrol boats will be donated to 13 countries including Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Federated States of Micronesia, Tonga, Solomon Islands, Cook Islands, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Palau, Samoa, Tuvalu, Vanuatu and Timor Leste, for use in securing their exclusive economic zones.
Applications for these boats include fisheries protection, search-and-rescue operations, general patrol duties and efforts to prevent transnational crime.
“Every Guardian-class patrol boat constructed by Austal here in Henderson Western Australia reflects the skill, dedication and resilience of our team and our supply chain and industry partners. Through challenges and change, we have worked collaboratively to refine processes, strengthen capability and establish a highly efficient steel shipbuilding production line,” Austal said on a LinkedIn post.
In September last year, Austal Australia delivered the ninth Evolved Cape-class Patrol Boat out of ten ordered for the Royal Australian Navy.
