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CAUGHT: HMAS Launceston got a bigger catch than expected when she apprehended this fishing vessel on her last patrol.
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PROUD CREW (right): The crew of HMAS Launceston towed in the fishing trawler one day and flew the patrol boat’s decommissioning flag the next. |
Volume 49, No. 16 , September 07, 2006
By Michael Brooke
HMAS Launceston (LCDR Alex Gibbs) fulfilled her wish to “go out fighting” when she apprehended a Foreign Fishing Vessel (FFV) on her last patrol in the countdown to her decommissioning at HMAS Coonawarra on September 8
The Fremantle Class Patrol Boat struck her last blow against the FFVs plundering Australia’s fish stocks on August 22 when she apprehended a large FFV inside the 200km Exclusive Economic Zone.
Following initial detection by Coastwatch Aircraft, Launceston apprehended the large steel-hulled trawler in the operation.
LCDR Gibbs said Launceston pursued a fleet of FFVs and closed in at sunrise on the trawler and apprehended it before it could cross the EEZ where its mother-ship was operating.
“The boarding party did an excellent job securing the 216-tonne steel-hulled stern trawler, which is similar to two boats apprehended by Ipswich earlier this year,” he said.
“I can’t give enough praise to my crew and particularly the boarding party for what they achieved in difficult circumstances,” he said. Launceston commenced towing the FFV into Darwin only after the FFV had run out of fuel.
LCDR Gibbs said a search of the trawler revealed a significant quantity of reef fish estimated at 15 tonnes onboard.
Launceston’s apprehension of the trawler during her last voyage marked a major blow against those attempting to fish illegally in Australian waters. More than 244 FFVs have been apprehended so far this year.
The FCPB had the distinction of towing in the trawler on the Thursday and flying her decommissioning pennant on the Friday.
LCDR Gibbs said Launceston’s success in Operation Resolute, Defence’s contribution to whole-of-government efforts to protect Australia’s Exclusive Economic Zone, marked a fitting end to the FCPB’s service.
