HMAS Cape Schanck is an Evolved Cape Class patrol boat (ECCPB). It was introduced into service to supplement the Armidale Class patrol boat capability.
ECCPBs are one of Navy’s main contributions to the nation’s:
- fisheries protection
- immigration
- customs and drug law enforcement efforts.
Cape Schanck, along with the other ECCBs, will work with the new Arafura Class ships to protect Australian waters.
Patrol boats are used by the Australian Defence Force for Operation Sovereign Borders, a government-wide effort to secure Australia's borders. The vessels work hand in hand with other government agencies as part of the Australian Border Force.
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.
When the Cape Schanck crew protects Australia’s borders, they carry out a range of law enforcement tasks. They track, stop and board vessels, and sometimes arrest crews and seize cargo.
Specifications
- Commanding Officer: Lieutenant Commander C Wardle
- Class: Evolved Cape Class
- Type: patrol boat, general (PB)
- Role: patrol boat
- Pennant: 313
- International callsign: VKBX
- Home port: HMAS Coonawarra
- Builder: Austal Ships, Fremantle
- Length: 58.1 metres
- Beam: 10.6 metres
- Draught: 3.1 metres
- Speed: 25 knots (top speed)
- Range: 4,000 nautical miles (12 knots)
- Crew: 21
- Machinery:
- 2 Caterpillar 3516C diesel engines
- 2 shafts
- 1 bow thruster
- Horsepower: 6,770 (4.97 megawatts)
- Guns: two 12.7 mm machine guns
Function
General patrol boat