27 June 2023
Australian Defence Vessel (ADV) Cape Naturaliste and ADV Cape Capricorn have officially been welcomed to their homeport of HMAS Coonawarra with a ceremony conducted at Larrakeyah Defence Precinct.
On June 20 the crews of Naturaliste and Capricorn were led by their respective Commanding Officers – Lieutenant Commander Jeremy Evain and Lieutenant Commander Alec Fieldsend – in parade past Reviewing Officer Captain Simon Cannell, Commander Mine Warfare, Clearance Diving, Hydrographic, Meteorological, Oceanographic and Patrol Force.
Naturaliste’s Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Commander Jeremy Evain, said each of the crew could reflect on the past 11 months and acknowledge the challenges they had overcome to provide the first operational evolved Cape-class patrol boat to be based out of Darwin. This supported their motto of ‘First to Discover’.
Capricorn’s Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Commander Alec Fieldsend, said the task of bringing a new vessel into operational service “has required dedication, perseverance and an unwavering commitment to excellence”.
Naturaliste and Capricorn are the third and fourth evolved Cape-class patrol boats to be accepted into service. The ships serve as part of the transition between Armidale-class patrol boats and offshore patrol vessels.
They will continue to support constabulary missions, maritime patrol and response duties alongside Australian Border Force vessels, other ADF units and other regional partners.
