HMAS Cape Capricorn

HMAS Cape Capricorn is the fourth of 8 Evolved Cape Class patrol boats introduced into service to replace the Armidale Class patrol boat capability. The vessels were acquired to continue Navy’s contribution to the nation’s fisheries protection, immigration, customs, and drug law enforcement operations. The vessels work hand-in-hand with other government agencies as part of the Australian Border Force.

Patrol 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. In association with Border Force, Australian Fisheries and Australian Federal Police, these operations protect against:

• unauthorised entry
• breaches of customs, immigration and drugs legislation
• illegal activity
• risks to the integrity of national fish-stocks, marine environments and other natural resources.

When protecting Australia’s borders, crews are employed on a range of constabulary duties. These involve tracking, intercepting, stopping and boarding other vessels, and sometimes arresting their crews and seizing cargo.