Final Cape Class Patrol Boat Officially Named Cape York as Eight Vessel Programme is Completed on Schedule

Austal Limited (ASX:ASB) is pleased to announce the eighth and final Cape Class Patrol Boat has been officially named Cape York during a ceremony held at Austal's Henderson shipyard in Western Australia today.

Cape York is the last of eight Cape-class patrol boats built by Austal for the Australian Border Force (ABF) under an AUD$330million design, construct and in-service support contract. The vessel was launched at Austal's Henderson shipyard in September 2015 and has since undergone final fit out and sea trials, with final crew familiarisation to be completed prior to delivery to ABF in the next few weeks.

The naming ceremony was attended by ABF Deputy Commissioner Michael Outram APM, Assistant Commissioner Border Force Capability, Peter Docwra, Cape York traditional owners' representative Richie Ah Mat and naming lady, Sallyanne Atkinson AO, former Lord Mayor of the City of Brisbane.

Named after Australia's most northern point, Cape York in Queensland, the vessel represents the completion of the ABF's most comprehensive border patrol capability asset programme and Austal's third major, multiple vessel contract for the Australian Government.

Davyd Thomas, Vice President of Defence remarked at the naming ceremony;

"The Cape Class Patrol Boat programme underpins Austal's strategy to achieve the right balance between export and domestic demand as we believe that focus is the basis for the right sustainable model for the long term future of naval shipbuilding in Australia, and the capability it delivers.

Programmes like the Cape Class for the Australian Government, along with our export programmes - such as the two HSSV'S we are currently constructing for the Royal Navy of Oman here at Henderson - set the foundation for Austal's future as a key enabler in delivering Australia's indigenous naval shipbuilding capability efficiently, effectively and competitively."

Delivering a Cape-class patrol boat every 10 weeks (on average) over 2014-15, Austal has delivered the programme on time and within budget; completing over 1.85 million man hours and processing over 900 tonnes of aluminium in the construction of the eight vessels.

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About Austal

Austal is a global defence prime contractor and a designer and manufacturer of defence and commercial ships. For more than 27 years Austal has been a leader in the design, construction and maintenance of revolutionary ships for Governments, Navies and Ferry operators around the world. More than 255 vessels have been delivered in that time.

Ships

Defence vessels designed and built by Austal include multi-mission combatants, such as the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) for the United States Navy and military high speed vessels for transport and humanitarian relief, such as the Expeditionary Fast Transport (EPF) (previously known as the Joint High Speed Vessel or JHSV) for the United States Navy and High Speed Support Vessel (HSSV) for the Royal Navy of Oman. Austal also designs, constructs, integrates and maintains an extensive range of patrol and auxiliary vessels for government agencies globally, including the Cape Class Patrol Boat Program for Australian Customs and Border Protection. Defence vessels are designed and constructed in Mobile, Alabama and in Henderson, Western Australia.

Austal has been at the forefront of the high speed ferry market since the early days of the industry. Our market leading designs of high performance aluminium vessels have long been at the heart of Austal’s research and development. Today, commercial ship construction is centred on our shipyard in Balamban, Philippines.

Systems

Austal has expertise in integrating complex systems into its ships, including ride control, ship management, and communication, sensors and weapon systems.

Support

Austal provides a wide range of support services, including through life support, integrated logistics support, vessel sustainment and systems support. These services are delivered through our global support network in the USA, Australia, Asia and the Middle East together with partner shipyards worldwide.

For further information contact:

Cameron Morse, FTI Consulting
Tel:            +61 8 9485 8888
Email:        cameron.morse@fticonsulting.com