HMAS Glenelg (ACPB 96)

Last updated

History
Naval Ensign of Australia.svgAustralia
NamesakeCity of Glenelg, South Australia
Builder Austal, Henderson, Western Australia
Commissioned22 February 2008
Decommissioned7 October 2022
Homeport HMAS Coonawarra, Darwin
Identification
Motto"Staunch in Defiance"
Honours and
awards
Two inherited battle honours
General characteristics
Class and type Armidale-class patrol boat
Displacement300 tons standard load
Length56.8 m (186 ft)
Beam9.7 m (32 ft)
Draught2.7 m (8.9 ft)
Propulsion2 × MTU 4000 16V 6,225 horsepower (4,642 kW) diesels driving twin propellers
Speed25 knots (46 km/h; 29 mph)
Range3,000 nautical miles (5,600 km; 3,500 mi) at 12 knots (22 km/h; 14 mph)
Endurance21 days standard, 42 days maximum
Boats & landing
craft carried
2 × Zodiac 7.2 m (24 ft) RHIBs
Complement21 standard, 29 maximum
Sensors and
processing systems
Bridgemaster E surface search/navigation radar
Electronic warfare
& decoys
  • Prism III radar warning system
  • Toplite electro-optical detection system
  • Warrlock direction finding system
Armament

HMAS Glenelg (ACPB 96), named for the city of Glenelg, South Australia was an Armidale-class patrol boat of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN).

Contents

Design and construction

The Armidale-class patrol boats are 56.8 metres (186 ft) long, with a beam of 9.7 metres (32 ft), a draught of 2.7 metres (8 ft 10 in), and a standard displacement of 270 tons. [1] The semi-displacement vee hull is fabricated from aluminium alloy, and each vessel is built to a combination of Det Norske Veritas standards for high-speed light craft and RAN requirements. [2] The Armidales can travel at a maximum speed of 25 knots (46 km/h; 29 mph), and are driven by two propeller shafts, each connected to an MTU 16V M70 diesel. [3] The ships have a range of 3,000 nautical miles (5,600 km; 3,500 mi) at 12 knots (22 km/h; 14 mph), allowing them to patrol the waters around the distant territories of Australia, and are designed for standard patrols of 21 days, with a maximum endurance of 42 days. [3] [2]

The main armament of the Armidale class is a Rafael Typhoon stabilised 25-millimetre (0.98 in) gun mount fitted with an M242 Bushmaster autocannon. [3] Two 12.7-millimetre (0.50 in) machine guns are also carried. [4] Boarding operations are performed by two 7.2-metre (24 ft), waterjet propelled rigid-hulled inflatable boats (RHIBs). [2] Each RHIB is stored in a dedicated cradle and davit, and is capable of operating independently from the patrol boat as it carries its own communications, navigation, and safety equipment. [2] [5]

Each patrol boat has a standard ship's company of 21 personnel, with a maximum of 29. [3] [2] The Armidales do not have a permanently assigned ship's company; instead, they are assigned to divisions at a ratio of two vessels to three companies, which rotate through the vessels and allow the Armidales to spend more time at sea, without compromising sailors' rest time or training requirements. [2] [6] A 20-berth auxiliary accommodation compartment was included in the design for the transportation of soldiers, illegal fishermen, or unauthorised arrivals; in the latter two cases, the compartment could be secured from the outside. [7] However, a malfunction in the sewerage treatment facilities aboard HMAS Maitland in August 2006 pumped hydrogen sulphide and carbon monoxide into the compartment, non-fatally poisoning four sailors working inside, after which use of the compartment for accommodation was banned across the class. [6] [7]

Glenelg was one of two patrol boats ordered in 2005, following an 2004 federal election promise that the Coalition would provide a dedicated patrol force for the oil and gas producing facilities located off the north-west coast of Australia. [3] [2] [8] Glenelg was constructed by Austal in Henderson, Western Australia. [1] She was the last ship of the class to be commissioned, on 22 February 2008. [1]

Operational history

She was based at HMAS Coonawarra, assigned to the Aware Division, and performs border protection duties.

Citations

  1. 1 2 3 Saunders (ed.), IHS Jane's Fighting Ships 2012–2013, p. 33
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Kerr, Plain sailing
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 Wertheim (ed.), The Naval Institute Guide to Combat Fleets of the World, p. 22
  4. Heron & Powell, in Australian Maritime Issues 2006, p. 132
  5. Heron & Powell, in Australian Maritime Issues 2006, p. 131
  6. 1 2 Kerr, Patrol boats shake down fuel faults
  7. 1 2 McKenna, Gas risk remains for navy boats
  8. Heron & Powell, in Australian Maritime Issues 2006, p. 130

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