In what is believed a "first" a baby has been born aboard a RAN patrol boat.

Within seconds of the little boy's entry to the world two sailors were looking after him.

For PO Chris O'Keefe the birth was "uplifting" and for coxswain Glen Wright it was "good training" for when his first child arrives in a month.

The birth took place on March 21 in the wardroom of HMAS GAWLER (LCDR Robert Davies) as the boat travelled from Ashmore Reef to Darwin with 20 Afghani, men, women and children on board.

With GAWLER was HMAS LAUNCESTON (LCDR Mark Burling) who had 26 men, the remainder of the group left on the sand at Ashmore by an unknown vessel several days earlier.

LCDR Davies said "about 4am on the Tuesday I was told one of the five women on board had gone into labour.

"She was in her mid-30s and had three other children with her.

"We brought her down to the wardroom. Another Afghani woman became the midwife.

"We realised this was a private thing so the coxswain and the second tiff took up a position outside the wardroom where they were available, but were not obtrusive.

"Meanwhile LAUNCESTON had made a call to the fleet medical and received advice to allow nature to take its course.

"I increased speed to reach Darwin quickly.

"With the woman lying on the wardroom table and with her husband holding her hand, she was delivered of a baby boy at 8.01am.

"The baby was handed immediately to Chris O'Keefe and with Glen he cleaned up the child and assisted generally."

LCDR Davies said he believed it was the first birth on an Australian patrol boat.

"One day I would like to meet the young fellow and perhaps present him with a ship's plaque to remind him of where he was born," he said.

An ambulance waited at Darwin Naval base to take the mother and baby to Darwin Hospital.

The 45 other people were taken into custody by immigration officials.

A Coastwatch aircraft found the 46 on the island but saw no sign of a vessel.

By Graham Davis