Royal Australian Navy

HMAS Armidale

The first of fourteen patrol boats enters service with Royal Australian Navy

Following the official Naming Ceremony of Nuship "Armidale" held at the Austal shipyard on 21 January the first of the Royal Australian Navy's twelve Armidale Class Patrol Boats has completed all trials to be officially commissioned in a ceremony held 24 June 2005, in Darwin, Australia.

The centuries-old traditional naval ceremony marks the introduction into service of a ship as a unit of the RAN. At the moment of breaking the commissioning pennant, HMAS "Armidale" becomes the responsibility of the Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Commander Andrew Maher, who, together with the Officers and Ship's Company, has the duty of making and keeping her ready for any service required by Australia. The distinction of a RAN ship in commission, other than the Australian White Ensign, is a flag or pennant at the masthead. The modern RAN commissioning pennant is the red cross of St. George at the hoist with a white fly.

The commissioning ceremony for the 56 metre all-aluminium monohull was attended by Guest of Honour, Ms Jana Stone. Ms Stone, who also attended the Naming Ceremony, participated on this occasion as the Commissioning Lady in what will be a life-long association with HMAS "Armidale". She is the eldest daughter of Ordinary Seaman Donald Lawson who served on the original HMAS "Armidale", a Bathurst Class corvette, during World War II.

At the ceremony senior figures from the government, navy, defence and industry were on hand to witness the event including, Minister of Defence, The Hon. Senator Robert Hill; Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Chris Ritchie AO RAN; Acting Maritime Commander, Commodore Peter Lockwood and Chief of Airforce, Air Marshall A.G. Houston AO AFC.

Following commissioning as an operational ship HMAS "Armidale" will undergo crew evaluation before commencing operational patrols to protect Australia's borders.