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HMAS ADVANCE lifebuoy

Date1968-1988

Object number00009489

NameLifebuoy

MediumGlassfibre, ropes

DimensionsOverall: 800 x 800 x 60 x 160 mm, 3.7 kg

ClassificationsVessels and fittings

Credit LineANMM Collection Transferred from the Department of Defence

Terms

DescriptionCircular shaped lifebuoy from HMAS ADVANCE. On each sides of the buoy is a painted coat of arms of HMAS ADVANCE reading "never look back".HistoryHMAS ADVANCE survived Cyclone Tracey in Darwin,1974 ,when a sistership, HMAS ARROW, was destroyed. She shadowed a Russian fishing ship suspected of spying, and dispersed large numbers of illegal foreign fishing boats. Despite this eventful working life, the National Maritime Museum's Attack Class patrol boat ADVANCE is probably best known for starring in the popular 1980s ABC-TV production, Patrol Boat, as HMAS AMBUSH. HMAS ADVANCE was one of 20 Attack Class patrol boats built for the Royal Australian Navy in Queensland shipyards.The Attack Class, named after the first of the type, HMAS ATTACK, was designed for patrol and survey work in Australia and New Guinea. Attack Class patrol boats have now been phased out of the RAN, replaced by the larger Fremantle Class-patrol boats.The RAN gave ADVANCE to the Australian National Maritime Museum in Darling Harbour,Sydney, when she was decommissioned in 1988. At the Museum ADVANCE illustrates the diverse peace time work of the RAN patrol boats which includes patrol of fishing grounds, coastal surveillance, protecting offshore oil rigs, assisting in hydrography (survey and sounding), air-sea rescue, transporting patients from remote shallow ports and naval reserve training Advance's equipment included high-definition radar, high and ultra-high frequency radio transmitters and receivers, gyro and magnetic compasses and echo sounders .SignificanceHMAS ADVANCE was one of 20 Attack Class patrol boats built for the Royal Australian Navy in Queensland shipyards.The Attack Class, named after the first of the type, HMAS ATTACK, was designed for patrol and survey work in Australia and New Guinea.