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RIDING
THE CREST: NUSHIP Larrakia hits the swell after completing
her sea trials.
Photo courtesy Austal.
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Two new Armidale class patrol boats have officially been named
and will be in service by the end of the year.
NUSHIPs Larrakia and Bathurst will become the second and third
of the Armidale class patrol boats.
The naming ceremony was held at the Austal Ships construction
facility in Western Australia last month.
The new Armidale class patrol boats offer increased patrol range,
surveillance, and boarding capability in comparison to the Fremantle
class patrol boats they are replacing.
Last month’s ceremony follows the successful commissioning
of the first of the Armidale class patrol boats, HMAS Armidale,
in June this year.
The vessels were named Larrakia by Ms Donna Odegaard JP, a member
of the Larrakia Nation, and Bathurst by Judith Bagley, wife of
LCDR Ron Bagley (Rtd.), one of the commissioning crew of the original
HMAS Bathurst.
NUSHIP Larrakia has already successfully completed ship trials
and met performance requirements. She was due to arrive in Darwin
for acceptance on October 24.
NUSHIP Bathurst is scheduled for acceptance in December 2005 following
the completion of her ship trials over the next few months..
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