ADV Cape Otway, Australian Border Force Patrol Vessel, Entering Cairns Harbour on 9 Aug 2024.

‪@shipsintropicaloz‬ Australian Defence Patrol Vessel, ADV Cape Otway entering Cairns Harbour on 9 Aug 2024.

Australian Defence Vessel (ADV) Cape Otway is the first of eight evolved Cape Class Patrol Boats being acquired to continue Navy’s contribution to the nation’s fisheries protection, immigration, customs and drug law enforcement operations. These vessels work hand-in-hand with other Government agencies as part of the Australian Border Force.

Built by Austal in Freemantle, Western Australia, Evolved Class Patrols Boats are a primary enabler of the Australian Defence Force contribution to Operation SOVEREIGN BORDERS, which is a whole of government effort to protect Australia’s borders and offshore interests.

ADV Cape Otway, in association with Border Force, Australian Fisheries and Australian Federal Police helps protect against unauthorised entry, breaches of customs, immigration and drugs legislation, other illegal activity and in support of law enforcement, preserve the integrity of our national fish-stocks, our marine environment and other natural resources.

When protecting our borders, Patrol Boat crews are typically employed on a range of constabulary duties involving tracking, intercepting, stopping and boarding other vessels, and sometimes arresting their crews and seizing cargo.

The ships are armed with two 12.7mm machine guns.