HMAS Bunbury (II)
Class |
Fremantle Class |
---|---|
Type | |
Pennant |
P217 |
International Callsign |
VLRO |
Builder |
North Queensland Engineers and Agents, Cairns, Queensland |
Launched |
3 November 1984 |
Launched by |
Mrs M Beazley, wife of the then Minister for Aviation |
Commissioned |
15 December 1984 |
Decommissioned |
11 February 2006 |
Dimensions & Displacement | |
Displacement | 220 tonnes |
Length | 42 metres |
Beam | 7.15 metres |
Draught | 1.8 metres |
Performance | |
Speed | 30 knots |
Complement | |
Crew | 24 |
Propulsion | |
Machinery |
|
Horsepower | 6140 |
Armament | |
Guns |
|
Awards | |
Inherited Battle Honours |

HMAS Bunbury and her 14 sister FCPBs were the Navy's principal contribution to the nation's fisheries protection, immigration, customs and drug law enforcement operations. The vessels worked hand-in-hand with other Government agencies and each year they provided up to 1800 patrol days as part of the Coastwatch-managed national surveillance effort. In the event of war they would have been tasked to control the waters close to the Australian mainland. They were well prepared for their patrol duties and other operational requirements.
In addition FCPBs were central to Australia's engagement with countries in the South West Pacific region and deployed throughout Southeast Asia and the Pacific in support of Australia's strategic interests. The Fremantle Class Patrol Boats (and now the Armidale Class Patrol Boats) also supported Special Forces operations and provided a useful transport capability, particularly in disaster relief and humanitarian assistance operations.
Bunbury was equipped with high definition navigational radar, high and ultra high frequency communications equipment, gyro compasses and echo sounder. She was also fitted with a satellite navigation system that enabled the ship's position to be determined with great accuracy.
Bunbury was the second ship of this name within the RAN. HMAS Bunbury (I) was a Bathurst class corvette.
Commanding Officers of HMAS Bunbury (II)
15 Dec 1984 - 27 Jun 1986 | Lieutenant Commander D Oliver, RAN |
27 Jun 1986 - 15 Apr 1988 | Lieutenant Commander C Ferguson, RAN |
15 Apr 1988 - 20 Oct 1989 | Lieutenant Commander T Ladomirski, RAN |
20 Oct 1989 - 04 Apr 1991 | Lieutenant Commander G Robinson, RAN |
04 Apr 1991 - 09 Oct 1992 | Lieutenant Commander R Ward, RAN |
09 Oct 1992 - 14 Apr 1994 | Lieutenant Commander D Gribble, RAN |
14 Apr 1994 - 13 Oct 1995 | Lieutenant Commander A Lugton, RAN |
13 Oct 1995 - 02 May 1997 | Lieutenant Commander J Parkin, RAN |
02 May 1997 - 14 Dec 1998 | Lieutenant Commander M Purdy, RAN |
14 Dec 1998 - 19 May 2000 | Lieutenant Commander P Papalia, RAN |
19 May 2000 - 06 Dec 2001 | Lieutenant Commander M Miller, RAN |
06 Dec 2001 - 14 May 2003 | Lieutenant Commander C Huxtable, RAN |
14 May 2003 - 01 Jul 2003 | Lieutenant Commander S Glastonbury, RAN |
01 Jul 2003 - 22 Oct 2004 | Lieutenant Commander A Schroder, RAN |
22 Oct 2004 - 19 Nov 2004 | Lieutenant Commander P Kraus, RAN |
19 Nov 2004 - 15 Dec 2004 | Lieutenant Commander A Schroder, RAN |
15 Dec 2004 - 11 Feb 2006 | Lieutenant Commander A Quinn, RAN |