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HMAS WARRNAMBOOL decommissioning booklet

Publisher Royal Australian Navy (Australian, founded 1913)

Date29 November 2005

Object number00044393

NameBooklet

MediumInk on paper

DimensionsOverall: 300 x 210 mm, 45 g

ClassificationsCommemorative artefacts

Credit LineANMM Collection Gift from RAN Maritime Headquarters Sydney

Terms

DescriptionThe decommissioning of the Royal Australian Navy's HMAS WARRNAMBOOL (pennant number 204) took place on 29 November 2005. This booklet was produced and distributed to guests at the ceremony. As a patrol boat WARRNAMBOOL was used to enforce Australian immigration laws, civil surveillance and protect fisheries.HistoryBooklets are produced for guests attending the commissioning or decommissioning ceremonies for vessels of the Royal Australian Navy. They provide technical information about each of the ships, an Order of Service for the Commissioning Ceremony, along with the history of any naval vessels that have shared the same name. HMAS WARRNAMBOOL (II) was a Fremantle class patrol boat of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN). It was launched on 25 October 1980 and was the second of fifteen Fremantle class patrol boats ordered for the RAN. It was the first Fremantle class to be built in Australia by North Queensland Engineers and Agents Pty Ltd and was commissioned in Cairns in 1981. The vessel was primarily involved in enforcing government policy on illegal immigration, civil surveillance and fisheries before being the first of the class to be decommissioned in November 2005. The Fremantles were replaced by the Armidale class of patrol boats. WARRNAMBOOL starred in the second season of the ABC TV series 'Patrol Boat' (along with four other patrol boats) as HMAS DEFIANCE. The HMAS WARRNAMBOOL decommissioning booklet contains an explanation of the decommissioning process. 'The decommissioning ceremony marks the retirement of a ship from the Royal Australian Navy. On the 14th March 1981, when the order to commission WARRNAMBOOL was given, a commissioning pennant was hoisted. A pennant has flown there through nearly 25 years of proud service. Today, when the commissioning pennant is hauled down, HMAS WARRNAMBOOL will no longer be the responsibility of her Commanding Officer. Until this moment, he, along with his Officers and Ship's Company, had the responsibility of preparing her and keeping her constantly ready for any service demanded by our government in peace and war.' SignificanceThe booklet demonstrates the continuing traditions and ceremonial procedures of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) and provides useful information on HMAS WARRNAMBOOL.