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FINAL SALUTE: HMAS Fremantle sailors march around their ship for the final time at its decommissioning ceremony. Photo: LAC Brett Turner |
Volume
49, No. 15, August 24 , 2006
After 26-years of faithful service, HMAS Fremantle became the eighth Fremantle Class Patrol Boat (FCPB) to be decommissioned.
The ceremony was conducted at HMAS Coonawarra on August 11, attended by Chief of Navy VADM Russ Shalders AO, CSC, RAN, and Maritime Commander Australia RADM Davyd Thomas.
Since being commissioned on March 17, 1980, Fremantle has travelled more than 535,705 nautical miles, much of it spent patrolling the Top End in the fight against illegal fishing.
She is one of the RAN’s 15 FCPBs currently being replaced by the new Armidale Class Patrol Boats.
Fremantle’s last CO, LEUT James Harper, said Fremantle’s loyal service sets the benchmark for the ACPBs coming into service.
The ship will remain in Darwin after decommissioning, where she will be laid up awaiting disposal.
The second RAN ship to bear the name Fremantle, HMAS Fremantle I was a Bathurst Class Corvette conducting convey escort duties off Australia’s east coast during WWII.
