During their early service life, there were problems with the fuel systems across the class, and a 20-bunk auxiliary accommodation compartment has been banned from use after toxic fumes were found in the compartment on multiple occasions. ‘A’ boats were not designed for crew comfort in heavy sea states! On 22 September 1977 the Minister of Defence (James Killen) announced the PCF450 design had been selected and fifteen boats would be built at a cost of AUD 115 million.The lead vessel HMAS Fremantle was built in the UK by Brooke Marine of Lowestoft. As an example, the galley range door which was oriented longitudinally would fly open in heavy seas. Starting in the late 1960s, planning began for a new class of patrol boat to replace the Attack class, with designs calling for improved seakeeping capability, and updated weapons and equipment. Fremantle Class Patrol Boat. Armed with a 40/60 Bofors gun and two 12.7mm 50-Calibre close range machine guns, The FCPBs were the Navy's principal contribution to Australia’s fisheries protection, immigration, customs and drug law enforcement operations. The Fremantle-class patrol boats were coastal patrol vessels operated by the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) from 1979 to 2007. HMAS Townsville; HMAS Townsville was one of 15 Fremantle Class Patrol Boats (FCPBs) built for, and operated exclusively by, the Royal Australian Navy. All have now been decommissioned and replaced by the Armidale Class Patrol Boats. By September 1970 the Navy proposed construction of ten additional new patrol boats to commence entering service between 1976 and 1980. The remainder were built in Australia by North Queensland Engineers and Agents. This location will be at the old Curtain Bros Slipway, originally established in 1891 as the Cleveland Foundry Slipway, the first slipway in Townsville. Operations in conditions above sea states 4 and 5 (moderate to rough seas) curtailed many activities particularly boarding operations. As an aside, one day before the modification was carried out, I found our LSCK chasing half-baked chickens across the deck after we hit some rather heavy seas! At present, engineering designs are being prepared aimed at relocating the vessel to a new location as a dry, static exhibit. The model is built on a fiberglass hull with styrene deck and superstructure. There were fifteen FCPB's built for the Royal Australian Navy in the early 1980's. They can fit easily in the boot of the car for transport yet they are very stable when on the water. Experience gained from operating twenty Attack class boats identified numerous areas for improvement in the new design. Australia's first new patrol boats since WWII were the Attack Class vessels. Planning for a class of vessels to replace the fifteen Fremantle-class patrol boats began in 1993 as a joint project with the Royal Malaysian Navy, but was cancelled when Malaysia pulled out of the process. Of the seven proposals tendered, the Austal/Defence Maritime Services(DMS) proposal for twelve vessels based on a… The boats destined for New Guinea service were HMAS Aitape, A local businessman purchased what was once a proud patrol boat, his idea was to restore her, but it proved far too expensive, therefore a decision was made to break her up where she lay.The combination of a small, relatively junior crew, remote area operations and cycle of 6 weeks on patrol and 2 weeks in home port resulted in close-knit self-reliant ships companies very proud of their boat. With Andrew McFarlane, Robert Coleby, Robert Baxter, Danny Adcock. Fremantle was allocated pennant number 203 and following commissioning, 17 March 1980 made one of the longest duration delivery voyages in RAN history taking 82 days.

Provision for small arms and ammunitionto approved standards, fitted with air-conditioning for tropical area operationThe boat ‘as delivered’ generally met the required specifications, e.g. I have made several of these over the years and they are a good sized functional model. Training:  for Junior Officers and sailors (PNF and Reserve) in ship handlingfor Junior Officers and sailors (PNF and Reserve) in ship handlingA package for both external and internal use for control and navigation.A power-operated single Bofor gun on forecastle immediately forward of superstructure with similar mount aft. The project was reopened in 1999 under the designation SEA 1444, with the RAN as the sole participant. The following table provides key dates (builder, pennant number, date laid down, launch and commission) for all twenty boats.The following is a list of mottos allocated to each boat.Naval Historical Society of Australia Inc. You can imagine the mess of oil (from the chickens), the baking tray and one rather irate cook chasing scran across the deck!The senior sailor’s bathroom located in the peak of the bow presented another challenge. HMAS Wollongong (II) 206 (1981 - 2006) is an Australian Fremantle Class Patrol Boat (FCPB). The Fremantle-class patrol boats were coastal patrol vessels operated by the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) from 1979 to 2007. It was some real fun sitting on the heads when underway heading into a forceful sea state, and an impossibility to shower without a very wet deck when the shower curtain swung to starboard at 40-plus degrees. The first HMAS Townsville was a Bathurst Class Australian Minesweeper, which served as a convoy escort vessel in the waters of Australia, the Pacific and New Guinea … Fremantle Class Patrol Boats has 1,214 members.