Australian shipbuilder Austal has launched the first of two Cape-class patrol boats for the Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard (TTCG) at its Henderson, Western Australia shipyard.
The shipbuilder is delivering two of the 58-meter patrol boats under an A$126 million contract awarded by the government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago (GORTT). The first vessel is scheduled for delivery in the first half of 2021.
“With 10 vessels already in operation with the Australian Border Force and Royal Australian Navy, and a further 6 ordered by the Navy, the Cape is undoubtedly one of Austal’s most successful and proven naval vessel designs,” Austal CEO David Singleton said.
“Now, we’re exporting the Capes to the world, and we look forward to additional international orders that will continue to build Australia’s sovereign shipbuilding capability,” Singleton added.
The new TTCG Capes are based on the 58 meter aluminium monohull patrol boat, first developed by Austal in Australia for Australian Border Force. The vessels have a 4,000 nautical mile range and 28-day patrol cycle, with a crew of up to 22. Each Cape is equipped with two high-speed 7.3 meter rigid hull inflatable boats used for intercepting other vessels.
Austal is also delivering 21 Guardian-class Patrol Boats for 12 Pacific Island nations and Timor Leste under the SEA3036-1 Pacific Patrol Boat Replacement Project, with eight patrol boats delivered since 2018.
