Austal has rolled out ADV Cape Fourcroy, the first of two Cape class patrol boats that are set to be delivered to the Royal Australian Navy, at Henderson, Western Australia, marking the end of the main construction phase prior to launch.
The Cape class boats are 58m all aluminium monohull vessels that are designed to perform border protection and maritime security tasks.
Austal delivered eight Cape class boats to the Australian Border Force between 2013 and 2015; this ninth boat in the class, otherwise known as Hull 380, will be handed over to Navy along with ADV Cape Inscription (Hull 381), its second Cape class boat, in the first half of 2017.
Hull 380 will undergo final fit-out before sea trials that are due to commence in January, ahead of delivery in April, while Hull 381 is due for launch in February, with delivery in May.
The two patrol boats will be leased by Navy until at least 2019.