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Commissioning booklet HMAS ALBANY

Publisher Royal Australian Navy (Printing)

Date15 July 2006

Object number00042389

NameBooklet

MediumInk on paper

Dimensions296 x 210 x 2 mm

ClassificationsEphemera

Credit LineANMM Collection Gift from Defence Public Affairs WA

Terms

DescriptionCommissioning ceremonies mark the formal introduction of a ship as a unit into the navy. This three-page foldout booklet was part of the formal commissioning ceremony of Armidale class patrol boat HMAS ALBANY. It was produced for the ceremony’s guests and provides the ship's technical details, and the ceremony Order of Service.HistoryHMAS ALBANY (ACPB 86) is the fourth of 14 Armidale class patrol boats built by Austal Ships in Western Australian for the Royal Australian Navy. The ship was commissioned in Albany, Western Australia in July 2006 under Lieutenant Commander Andrew Lugton with Mrs Annette Knight (former mayor of Albany) as Commissioning Lady. ALBANY is homeported in Darwin and performs border protection and fisheries protection patrols. She is the first ship of this name to serve in the Royal Australian Navy, and is named after the Western Australian city. The Armidale class patrol boats are the Royal Australian Navy's principal contribution to the nation's fisheries protection, immigration, customs and drug law enforcement operations. The vessels work hand-in-hand with other Government agencies and each year they provide up to 3,000 patrol days as part of the Coastwatch-managed national surveillance effort. In the event of war they would be tasked to control the waters close to the Australian mainland. Armidale class patrol boats are highly capable and versatile warships which are able to conduct a wide variety of missions and tasks. One of their primary duties is the contribution to the 'Civil Surveillance Program'. Surveillance and boarding operations conducted by the Royal Australian Navy safeguard Australia's sovereignty and significantly contribute to the security of the nation. Their operations protect against unauthorised entry, breaches of customs, immigration and drugs legislation, other illegal activity and in support of law enforcement, preserve the integrity of national fish-stocks, marine environment and other natural resources. HMAS ALBANY has a range of 3,000 nautical miles at 12 knots and a maximum speed of about 25 knots. It is equipped with high-definition navigational radar, high and ultra high frequency communications equipment, gyro compasses and echo sounder. ALBANY is also fitted with a satellite navigation system that enables the ship's position to be determined with great accuracy. Information courtesy SeaPower Centre, Australia. This commissioning booklet was produced for guests attending the formal commissioning of the patrol boat into the Royal Australian Navy and provides technical details, an Order of Service and a short history of the first HMAS ALBANY.SignificanceThe booklet represents the continuing traditions and ceremonial procedures of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN). It also reveals information about HMAS ALBANY, one of the important Armidale class patrol boats the RAN used to protect the nation's fisheries, immigration, customs and drug law enforcement operations.