Hatches and despatches (RAN style)

Whats been spotted in and around our Navy
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MikeJames
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Hatches and despatches (RAN style)

Post by MikeJames »

The decommissioning of the Armidale class is gathering speed.

Apparently they are spending more time than expected alongside and not on patrol, as Navy and maintenance contractors battle a growing array of cascading problems with the class.

The Armidale's are an aluminum class, and the op-tempo of naval operation exceeds the parameters that Austal designed for when they bid the design as the replacement for the Fremantle's.

Other contenders, such as Tenix's 55 metre patrol boat (a variant of the inshore patrol boats they built for the RNZN) and the Forgacs / Fincantieri 55 metre design (based on the Italian Coast Guard Diciotti class), were both steel ships. Austal's was aluminium and they sold that to the RAN based on a number of claimed advantages, better speed for the size of the engines, better fuel economy, lighter vessels for their size and lower costs to purchase and being easier to maintain, but while many of those were true, the last most definitely wasn't.

They have had a number of issues, but the big one is that the hull has flexed more than expected in heavy seas, because Navy operates in rougher seas for longer, and that has led to cracking throughout the class, Not just in the superstructure / hull join, but in a lot of other areas, such as the mountings where the engines bolt to the beds, which are part of the hull.

The result is one problem after another, with almost none of the Armidale's making their intended days at sea target which is why Navy is pushing to get the Cape class into service, to take over from the Armidale's.

That means the class is paying off to free up crew for the new boats (and the Arafura's under construction).

HMAS Pirie decommissioned in March last year and the next to go is HMAS Maitland, which paid off today at HMAS Coonawarra, after 16 years service.

Maitland decommissioning 01.jpg


The other Armidale's will pay off in relatively rapid succession as the Navy's Cape class come online, something which will accelerate as the Arafura's commission.

Mike
Last edited by MikeJames on 28 Apr 2022 23:03, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Hatches and despatches (RAN style)

Post by kitlowran »

Ah well, always had a soft spot for Yankee 88
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Re: Hatches and despatches (RAN style)

Post by littoralcombat »

Maitland (or one of her Sisterships if she is too tired) might yet get another lease on life........watch this space :censor:
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Re: Hatches and despatches (RAN style)

Post by MikeJames »

Interesting, let us know when you can Nige.

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Re: Hatches and despatches (RAN style)

Post by littoralcombat »

Officially announced late yesterday.

https://www.navalnews.com/event-news/in ... -into-usv/

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Re: Hatches and despatches (RAN style)

Post by MikeJames »

A nice use for Maitland, hopefully one that will deliver multiple benefits for the RAN's future.

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Re: Hatches and despatches (RAN style)

Post by littoralcombat »

Ex-HMAS Maitland has arrived at the Austal Ships yard in Henderson WA to begin her conversion to an Autonomous Ship Trials Vesseĺ.
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Re: Hatches and despatches (RAN style)

Post by littoralcombat »

Just heard that HMAS Ararat was decommissioned on 2nd July.

https://www.defenceconnect.com.au/marit ... in-top-end

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Austal To Conduct Patrol Boat Autonomy Trial For Royal Australian Navy

Austal has taken possession of the de-commissioned HMAS Maitland to commence planning, modification, and test and evaluation of autonomous and remotely operated systems.

Austral press release

The Patrol Boat Autonomy Trial (PBAT) is a collaboration between Austal, Trusted Autonomous Systems Defence Cooperative Research Centre and the Royal Australian Navy Warfare Innovation Navy (WIN) Branch. The Trial will establish robotic, automated and autonomous elements on a patrol boat, providing a proof-of-concept demonstrator, for optionally crewed or autonomous operations for the RAN into the future. The Trial will also explore the legal, regulatory pathways and requirements of operating an autonomous vessel at sea.

PBAT couples Austal’s experience as the expert designer and manufacturer of the Armidale-class Patrol Boat (ACPB), with subcontractor L3Harris’ experience as a world leader in autonomous vessel technology. With co-funding from the Commonwealth of Australia, guidance and support is provided from the Trusted Autonomous Systems Defence Cooperative Research Centre.

Following the arrival of the vessel in Henderson, Western Australia, the re-named ‘Sentinel’ has entered the Trial’s ‘modification phase’; which includes the fitting of a variety of monitoring and control systems and technologies that enables autonomous and remote operations. From July 2023 the vessel is expected to be registered under Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) jurisdiction as a domestic commercial vessel to enable sea trials to commence October 2023.

The PBAT project aims to:
Significantly progress the concept of remote operations and the autonomous certification approach;
Increase the understanding of fuel management, communication, and navigation systems to be made autonomous;
Investigate and understand the sustained operation of shipboard mechanical systems without crew intervention, including systems of redundancy and reliability to support operations at sea for extended periods;
Provide input to long-term risk reduction for future naval projects, considering remote or autonomous vessels. This will be extended to other sensors and autonomous vehicles once the initial trial is complete; and
Transfer lessons learned on the application of remote or autonomous systems to the Royal Australian Navy’s current fleet to potentially optimise crew workload. Remote and autonomous operation has the potential to reduce crew workload and increase operational safety by reducing human error.
Austal Limited Chief Executive Officer Paddy Greg said:
“Austal understands the future of Australia’s maritime capability will partly depend on how quickly our naval enterprise can better understand and integrate autonomous and remotely operated vessels.
“Austal are pleased to be at the heart of Australia’s autonomous naval journey, working with our Industry partners, Navy and the Commonwealth, to complete the modification and trials, and share this data to improve the wider knowledge base.
“Our expert staff are excited to be working to learn more about the challenges and opportunities in this autonomous and robotic space.
“Austal always strive to improve our designs and build ships that outsmart Australia’s adversaries, delivering capability into the hands of the Australian Defence Force to improve their ability to fight and win at sea,”

Background

In late 2020 the Australian Defence Force issued a Joint Concept on Robotics and Autonomous Systems (RAS). The Concept defines RAS in terms of both the threats and opportunities it provides across all operating environments (land, sea, and air).

In parallel, the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) released the Robotics and Autonomous Systems-Artificial Intelligence (RAS-AI) 2040 Strategy outlining its vision for “a fighting and thinking Navy” that embraces RAS-AI, to transform and improve its ability to fight and win at sea.

-End-
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Re: Hatches and despatches (RAN style)

Post by littoralcombat »

Sentinel.

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Austal Delivers 3rd Evolved Cape-Class Patrol Boat To RAN

Austal Australia has delivered the third of eight Evolved Cape-class Patrol Boats (ECCPB’s) to the Royal Australian Navy.

Image

Austal press release

The vessel, ADV Cape Naturaliste, was officially accepted by the Commonwealth of Australia.

Austal Limited Chief Executive Officer, Paddy Gregg said the delivery of the third Evolved Cape-class Patrol Boat highlighted Austal’s proven productivity and reliability to deliver naval shipbuilding programs in Australia.
“Austal has now delivered three Evolved Capes to the Royal Australian Navy since the contract was signed in May 2020. Our productivity has improved with each new vessel, to the point where Austal is launching a new Evolved Cape after just 12 months of construction. The fourth vessel, the future ADV Cape Capricorn, is alongside now and we have four more Evolved Capes at various stages of production, here in Henderson. With the continued support of our trusted supply chain partners, the Austal shipbuilding team is well on track to deliver all eight Evolved Cape-class Patrol Boats to the Navy by mid-2024, on schedule.”
Paddy Gregg, Austal Limited Chief Executive Officer

“Austal is leading the way in delivering effective capability to the Navy and adding value to the National Naval Shipbuilding Enterprise and we couldn’t be prouder,” Mr Gregg added.

The 58-meter aluminum mono hull patrol boat is the third of eight to be delivered to the Royal Australian Navy. The first two Evolved Cape-class Patrol Boats, ADV Cape Otway and ADV Cape Peron were delivered in March and August 2022, respectively.

The Evolved Capes feature new, larger amenities to accommodate up to 32 people, improved quality of life systems and advanced sustainment intelligence systems that further enhance the Royal Australian Navy’s ability to fight and win at sea. The patrol boats will be utilised for a wide variety of constabulary and naval missions and play a critical role in Australia’s national security, as a high-performing, reliable and effective maritime asset.

Austal Australia continues to employ approximately 400 people (directly) in Western Australia and is engaging more than 300 supply chain partners across Australia, to deliver the Evolved Cape-class Patrol Boat Project (SEA1445-1) for the Royal Australian Navy. In-service support for the Cape, Evolved Cape and Guardian-class Patrol Boat fleets operated by the Australian Border Force, Royal Australian Navy and Pacific Island nations is provided by Austal Australia through dedicated service centres located in Henderson, Western Australia; Cairns, Queensland; and Darwin, Northern Territory.

Austal Australia is also contracted to deliver 22 Guardian-class Patrol Boats to the Commonwealth of Australia under the Pacific Patrol Boat Replacement Project (SEA3036-1) and has delivered 15 vessels since 2018.

– End –
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Re: Hatches and despatches (RAN style)

Post by littoralcombat »

"The Front Fell Off''
I believe this to be Ex HMAS Glenelg being 'recycled'.
Pearl Marine, Darwin.
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Re: Hatches and despatches (RAN style)

Post by MikeJames »

Sad image.

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Re: Hatches and despatches (RAN style)

Post by MikeJames »

Lead ship of the class, HMAS Armidale, has decommissioned at HMAS Coonawarra on 5 April, completing 17 years in commission.

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Re: Hatches and despatches (RAN style)

Post by littoralcombat »

MikeJames wrote:Lead ship of the class, HMAS Armidale, has decommissioned at HMAS Coonawarra on 5 April, completing 17 years in commission.

Mike

I think that leaves seven of the fourteen still in service.
Most of the hulls that have been decommissioned so far were those that received their major remediation refits in a Singapore yard, who made a bit of a hash of it.
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Re: Hatches and despatches (RAN style)

Post by littoralcombat »

Ex-HMAS Sirius several weeks ago, being 're-cycled' at the AMC, Henderson, WA. :(
The process has progressed significantly since this image was taken. All of the upper-works were removed and access holes cut into the Engine-Room sides, allowing for significant amounts of equipment/fittings etc to be removed.
Two weeks ago, she was cut in half.......whilst afloat!! The bow section was then put on the Floating Dock and transferred to the hardstand for cutting up. It now sits alongside Ex-HMAS Otama. The stern half will likely follow shortly.
I think it might of been prudent to of put her into reserve, just incase of a rainy day. I would of thought the cost would not of been particularly prohibitive and she was apparently in reasonable shape for a ship just over 20yrs old. Double-hulled as well so still anti-pollution compliant.
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Re: Hatches and despatches (RAN style)

Post by MikeJames »

Interesting, but its possible someone in Canberra didn't think it was cost-effective to keep her, after all thinking of possible contingencies which might happen isn't exactly an area the ADF seems particularly good at.

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Re: Hatches and despatches (RAN style)

Post by MikeJames »

Twitter post

Personnel from #HMASCairns lined the wharf on Monday to say goodbye to #HMASShepparton & #HMASBenalla, as they sailed into their homeport for the final time. This signifies a step closer to the Survey Motor Launches joint decommissioning next month.

Image

Image

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Re: Hatches and despatches (RAN style)

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Austal Delivers 5th Evolved Cape-Class Patrol Boat To Royal Australian Navy

On June 22, 2023, Austal announced the delivery the fifth of eight Evolved Cape-class Patrol Boats (ECCPB’s) to the Royal Australian Navy.

Naval News Staff 23 Jun 2023

Austal press release

The vessel, ADV Cape Woolamai was officially accepted by the Commonwealth of Australia on 22 June 2023.

Austal Limited Chief Executive Officer, Paddy Gregg said the delivery of the fifth Evolved Cape-class Patrol Boat again highlights Austal’s proven shipbuilding capabilities, efficiency and productivity from the Henderson, Western Australia shipyard.
“With the delivery of every Evolved Cape-class Patrol Boat, Austal is demonstrating the capacity, capability, and expertise to construct naval vessels for Australia to the highest quality, efficiently. “This latest vessel, the ADV Cape Woolamai, is the fifth we have delivered in just 15 months. We’re launching and delivering a new patrol boat every three months, following approximately 12 months construction.”
Paddy Gregg, Austal Limited Chief Executive Officer

“Austal’s highly skilled and efficient local production team, supported by our trusted supply chain partners, are achieving outstanding productivity in the delivery of the Evolved Cape-class Patrol Boat Project for the Royal Australian Navy. We remain on track to deliver all eight Evolved Cape-class Patrol Boats on schedule, in mid-2024 and thank the Commonwealth again for their trust in our team to deliver this great capability for Australia,” Mr Gregg added.

The 58-metre aluminium monohull patrol boat is the fifth of eight to be delivered to the Royal Australian Navy since the project commenced in May 2020. The first four Evolved Cape-class Patrol Boats, Cape Otway, Cape Peron, Cape Naturaliste, and Cape Capricorn were delivered within a twelve-month period, from March 2022. The sixth Evolved Cape-class patrol Boat, the ADV Cape Pillar, was launched at the company’s Henderson, Western Australia shipyard earlier this month.

The Evolved Capes feature new, larger amenities to accommodate up to 32 people, improved quality of life systems and advanced sustainment intelligence systems that further enhance the Royal Australian Navy’s ability to fight and win at sea. The patrol boats will be utilised for a wide variety of constabulary and naval missions and play a critical role in Australia’s national security, as a high-performing, reliable and effective maritime asset.

Austal Australia continues to employ approximately 400 people (directly) in Western Australia and is engaging more than 300 supply chain partners across Australia, to deliver the Evolved Cape-class Patrol Boat Project (SEA1445-1) for the Royal Australian Navy.

In-service support for the Cape, Evolved Cape and Guardian-class Patrol Boat fleets operated by the Australian Border Force, Royal Australian Navy and Pacific Island nations is provided by Austal Australia through dedicated service centres located in Henderson, Western Australia; Cairns, Queensland; and Darwin, Northern Territory.

Austal Australia is also contracted to deliver 22 steel Guardian-class Patrol Boats to the Commonwealth of Australia under the Pacific Patrol Boat Replacement Project (SEA3036-1) and has delivered 15 vessels since 2018.
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Re: Hatches and despatches (RAN style)

Post by kitlowran »

Coincidently I was in Darwin this week (for something else) when they had the naming ceremony for Capricorn and Woolamai at the O’s mess.
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Re: Hatches and despatches (RAN style)

Post by MikeJames »

You do get around mate.

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Re: Hatches and despatches (RAN style)

Post by littoralcombat »

Ex-HMAS Sirius and Ex-HMAS Otama. A few images following the process on Sirius, not much left of her now and they are well into Otama.
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