Australia’s New Patrol Boat Named Cape Fourcroy
The Australian Navy’s ninth Cape-class patrol boat was officially named during a ceremony held at the HMAS Stirling naval base in Western Australia. Designed and constructed by Austal, the vessel is the first of two Cape-class patrol boats to be delivered to the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) under a A$63 million contract, named ADV Cape Fourcroy after the western most tip of Bathurst Island in the Northern Territory. The naming ceremony at HMAS Stirling was attended by Commodore Luke Charles-Jones representing the RAN Fleet Commander…
Vessel Affected by Cyclone
Two vessels from the Australia based-Perkins Shipping fleet have found themselves at the mercy of tropical cyclone Craig. The master of the MV Balangut, a 1469 dwt tonne RoRo cargo vessel, reported his ship’s bow door had potentially been lost due to the heavy seas. The position puts the Balangut some 70 nautical miles north of Melville Island close to the center of Cyclone Craig, and she has been advised by Perkins’ Darwin office to continue to slowly steam north until such time as the storm abates. It is expected that the ship’s cargo may have suffered some damage but the master and all crew members are reported safe and well. The Balangut will be brought back to Darwin for repairs as soon as it is safe and appropriate.
