Two new Armidale-class patrol boats, NUSHIPs Larrakia and Bathurst were officially named at the Austal Ships construction facility in Western Australia last month.

The second and third Armidale-class patrol boats to be named and they join HMAS Armidale, who distinguished herself on day two of duty, while involved in an illegal fishing boat apprehension off northern Australia last month.

The new patrol boats were named Larrakia by Ms Donna Odegaard JP, a member of the Larrakia Nation, and Bathurst by Judith Bagley, wife of Lieutenant Commander Ron Bagley (Rtd), one of the commissioning crew of the original HMAS Bathurst.

The NUSHIPs Larrakia and Bathurst will join HMAS Armidale in service by early 2006, further strengthening Navy’s capability to intercept and apprehend vessels suspected of illegal fishing, and quarantine, customs or immigration offences.  The new Armidale-class patrol boats offer increased patrol range, surveillance, and boarding capability in comparison to the Fremantle-class vessels they are replacing.

NUSHIP Larrakia has already successfully completed ship trials and commenced her delivery voyage  on 17 October and was offered for acceptance in Darwin on 24 October 2005 .  NUSHIP Bathurst is scheduled for acceptance in December 2005 following the completion of her ship trials over next two months.

A contract extension to build an additional two Armidale-class patrol boats for patrolling in the North West Shelf is expected to be signed shortly.

From left: Executive Chairman Austal Ships, Mr John Rothwell, Ms Donna Odegaard JP, Mrs Judith Bagley and Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Russ Shalders at the naming ceremony for NUSHIPS Larrakia and Bathurst.

Above: NUSHIP Larrakia ( (Photo reproduced with permission from Austal Ships)