The Royal Australian Navy (RAN) has welcomed the latest addition to its Fleet, with HMAS Maryborough, the thirteenth state-of-the-art Armidale Class Patrol Boat (ACPB), commissioned in a traditional ceremony alongside Bulimba Barracks Wharf in Brisbane in December.

Additionally, the commissioning ceremony also marked the formal inauguration of the Aware Three crew into Naval service. Aware Three is the twenty first and final ACPB crew to be formed under the multi-crewing initiative. Multi-crewing facilitates the maximum use of each ACPB, while providing adequate crew rest and balance between work and life commitments.

The combined ceremony signifies a coming of age for the new Patrol Boat Squadron after a two-year development period, which coincided with the phasing out of service of the ageing Fremantle Class Patrol Boats.

HMAS Maryborough is purpose designed and was built in Australia for border protection operations aimed at protecting Australia’s maritime interests. With her state-of-the-art surveillance, communications and sensors suite, as well as her excellent sea keeping ability, she is able to conduct boarding operations in all conditions.

Fully interoperable with other government agency units employed on border protection operations, Maryborough offers enhanced standards of accommodation and habitability for her crew, including improved email and satellite television connectivity.