Patrol Boat on Show
13 May 2009
HMAS Pirie is participating in the biennial International Maritime Defence Exhibition & Conference (IMDEX Asia 2009) and associated maritime exercises in Singapore this week between 11 and 16 May.
“The Royal Australian Navy is very pleased to participate in IMDEX 2009 with an Armidale Class Patrol Boat. Pirie’s presence is show-casing Australia’s potent and modern class of patrol boat, used extensively in maritime security and border protection operations,” Commander Australian Fleet, RADM Nigel Coates, AM, RAN said.
HMAS Pirie also is participating in Western Pacific Symposium Multi-lateral Sea Exercise (WSMX) which includes a two day at sea component conducting man overboard, search and rescue, boarding exercises and underway replenishment.
“Participation in the sea exercise enhances Australia’s interoperability with other nations in the Western Pacific Symposium. The core skills of maritime security operations provide a focus during this exercise and Pirie is benefiting from participation, whilst also demonstrating her first-class capabilities,” said Rear Admiral Coates said.
Pirie, the 5th Armidale Class Patrol boat to be commissioned into the RAN, is based in Darwin and her primary role is border protection operations, in support of fisheries enforcement and countering illegal immigration. The Armidale Class Patrol Boats also regularly take part in regional exercises within the South East Asian and Pacific regions.
Pirie is crewed by the multi-crewing initiative, where crews man the Armidale Class Patrol Boats on a rotational basis. Multi-crewing provides personnel with stability and allows the crew to plan leave, personal development activities and assists with family time.
Built in Fremantle, Western Australia, the Armidale Class have a significantly increased range, endurance and sea-keeping capability, as well as greatly improved comfort and habitability in comparison to the former Fremantle Class. This enables extended tasking to offshore maritime zones, the ability to remain on task and operate in higher sea states.
