HMAS Pirie
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| Crewed by | |
|---|---|
| Pennant | ACPB 87 |
| Class | Armidale Class |
| Based | Darwin |
| Commissioned | 29 July 2006 |
| Displacement | 305 tonnes305,000 kg 305,000,000 g 672,409.71 lb 10,758,558.41 oz |
| Length | 56.8m5,680 cm 0.0568 km 0.0353 mi 186.352 ft 2,236.22 in |
| Armament |
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| Main Machinery |
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| Speed | 25kts12.861 m/s 46.3 km/h 0.0129 km/s 2,531.716 ft/min 42.195 ft/s |
HMAS Pirie joined the Royal Australian Navy's operational Fleet following a traditional commissioning ceremony in the city of Port Pirie in July 2006.
Mrs Margaret Humphry of Verdun, SA was the Commissioning Lady for HMAS Pirie.
Mrs Humphry is the daughter of the late LEUT J W. Ellershaw, RANR who was a member of the commissioning ship's company of the first Pirie (I).
LEUT Ellershaw, the ship's Gunnery Officer, was killed in action when the ship was attacked by Japanese aircraft near Oro Bay, New Guinea in April 1943.
The commissioning ceremony was attended by Barry Wakelin, MP, representing the Minister for Defence, the Chief of Navy VADM Russ Shalders AO, CSC, RAN, and the Deputy Maritime Commander, CMDR Ray Griggs.
"I am delighted to welcome HMAS Pirie into the Australian fleet. The ship harnesses cutting edge technology, improved habitability and provides the Navy with a very capable ship to undertake surveillance and response tasks," CDRE Griggs said.
The ship's Commissioning Order was read by its Commanding Officer, LCDR Kimbal Dunsmore.
"The Armidale Class vessels substantially improve the Royal Australian Navy's capability to intercept and apprehend vessels suspected of illegal fishing and quarantine, customs or immigration offences. I am confident Pirie will serve Australia with distinction for many years to come," LCDR Dunsmore said.
HMAS Pirie is the fifth state-of-the art Armidale Class boat built in Australia.
