Mr Roche talks with LCDR Miller and PO Truman. Picture : WO2 Geoff Fox, PACC/NT.

Director Materiel Organisation, Mr Mick Roche, is one executive who will be involved in replacing the Royal Australian Navy's aging fleet of 15 Fremantle class patrol boats.

To assist him being "across" the patrol boat scene, he donned a pair of overalls and headed north to see for himself.

In Darwin he joined LCDR Michelle Miller and her ship's company in HMAS BUNBURY.

He took a look at the day-to-day life aboard a Fremantle.

Design

"There will be a lot of significant discussion in the months ahead on what design will replace the current patrol boat," he said.

"I am here to see for myself what the current boats are like and talk to the crew about what they need to do the job," he said.

Talking with Mr Roche on the bow of BUNBURY are LCDR Miller and PO Luke Truman.

Nested outboard of BUNBURY is one of the Custom's service's new Bay class patrol boats.