Boat a class of its own

Member for Brand Gary Gray was on hand for the naming ceremony of the first of eight new Cape Class Patrol boats which will protect Australian waters and borders.

The vessel, called Cape St George, was officially named by former Liberal senator Margaret Reid at Friday’s ceremony.

Australian Customs and Border Protection Services deputy chief executive Marian Grant said the remaining boats would be named in honour of a cape in each State and Territory. The naming ceremony was held at the Henderson site of Austal, the ship-building company awarded the $330 million contract by the Federal Government to design and build the eight boats.

Features of the Cape Class boats include a greater range, endurance and flexibility in responding to maritime security threats than the existing fleet.

The boats will be used in deployments to apprehend foreign

fishing vessels, monitor environment pollution and counter people and drug smuggling. Special Minister for State Mr Gray said Cape St George was a testament to local workers who had helped build the vessel.

“These new vessels will help secure our borders, and that is the top priority of any government,” he said.

“Of course the contract with Austal has also secured apprenticeships, training opportunities and jobs, so it’s important for local content, local jobs and for developing a local skills base.”