HMAS Cape Naturaliste

HMAS Cape Naturaliste is an Evolved Cape Class patrol boat introduced into service to supplement the Armidale Class patrol boat capability. It is one of Navy’s principal contributions 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. In the event of war they would be tasked to control the waters close to the Australian mainland.

Patrol boats are a primary enabler of the Australian Defence Force contribution to Operation Sovereign Borders, 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.