Everyone knows coffee is the lifeblood of the Royal Australian Navy.

For the personnel working on base and those coming ashore from the patrol boats, the Navy’s Anchorage café, Outpipes, has been a staple at Darwin’s naval base HMAS Coonawarra.

Not just a café, the Navy’s Anchorage offers allocated funding to shore establishments and ships – subsidising costs for sports and welfare activities for Navy personnel – and the Relief Trust Fund. 

Every day, venue manager Kim Eishold and barista Jo Murray make coffees for the patrol boat crews before they set off for the day’s mission.

To thank the team for their solid service and bright smiles, the crew of HMAS Cape Pillar invited the Anchorage team on board for a tour and a ride in the patrol boat. 

The $66 million boat’s mission is to contribute to Australia’s fisheries protection, immigration, customs and drug law enforcement operations.

Her crew work hand-in-hand with other government agencies, including the Australian Border Force.

'It is nice to be recognised for the work we do.'

Commanding Officer Cape Pillar Lieutenant Commander Ben Couch organised the sea ride. 

“HMAS Coonawarra’s local Navy’s Anchorage café contributes to our morale every day, so being able to take you to sea with us is a gesture of our appreciation for your contribution to Navy capability,” he said. 

“You watch our ships come and go every day. I hope after today you understand a little more about our service and contribution to Australia’s national security.

“The Anchorage team are a team of lovely individuals who greet us with a smile and well-poured brew. We are grateful for your service to Navy, thank you. It is a pleasure to give back.”

Ms Eishold enjoyed seeing the inside of the Evolved Cape-class patrol boat, having only seen the outside of it for so long. 

“It’s bigger on the inside than I thought, but I guess I’ve only really seen them on NCIS: Sydney or Sea Patrol,” she said. 

“It is nice to be recognised for the work we do, but it’s also an honour to be able to see our customers at work to understand what their everyday looks like once they leave the wharf.” 

There are plans to run a coffee-making course on board so the crew of Cape Pillar can make their own Anchorage-worthy coffee while away from their home port. 

The Navy’s Anchorage is a government-owned business created for the benefit of Navy personnel and their families. It recently provided funds for Coonawarra’s cycling team to represent Navy at the Gibb Challenge.

There are more than 30 cafés and outlets at more than 10 Navy bases.