ADV Cape Inscription

Australian Defence Vessel (ADV) Cape Inscription is a Cape Class Patrol Boat introduced into service to supplement the Armidale Class Patrol Boat capability. It is one of Navy’s principal contributions to the nation’s fisheries protection, immigration, customs and drug law enforcement operations. The vessels work hand-in-hand with other Government agencies as part of the Australian Border Force. In the event of war they would be tasked to control the waters close to the Australian mainland.

Patrol boats are a primary enabler of the Australian Defence Force contribution to Operation Sovereign Borders, a whole of government effort to protect Australia's borders and offshore interests. In association with Border Force, Australian Fisheries and Australian Federal Police, these operations protect against:

  • unauthorised entry
  • breaches of customs, immigration and drugs legislation
  • illegal activity
  • risks to the integrity of national fish-stocks, marine environments and other natural resources.

ADV Cape Inscription is manned by two crews, ‘port’ and ‘starboard’, with one crew embarked and one disembarked at any given time.

When protecting Australia’s borders, crews are employed on a range of constabulary duties involving tracking, intercepting, stopping and boarding other vessels, and sometimes arresting their crews and seizing cargo.

Commanding OfficerLieutenant Commander Scott Benstead
ClassCape Class
TypePatrol Boat, General (PB)
RolePatrol Boat
Pennant320
International callsignVMCI
Home portHMAS Cairns
BuilderAustal Ships, Fremantle
Length58.1 metres
Beam10.6 metres
Draught3.1 metres
Speed25 knots (top speed)
Range4000 nautical miles (12 knots)
Crew21
Machinery
  • 2 x Caterpillar 3516C diesels
  • 2 shafts
  • 1 bow thruster
Horsepower6770
Guns2 12.7mm machine guns

Function

General patrol boat