HMAS Adroit

The Attack class patrol boats were ordered following Australia’s involvement in the Indonesian Confrontation when it became evident that the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) lacked suitable patrol-type vessels. Consequently, an order was placed to have 20 Attack class patrol boats constructed in Australia, including 5 for Papua New Guinea.

The order was placed for the vessels in 1965, for delivery by August 1966, but construction proved slow and the first keel was not laid until September 1966. However, once construction got underway the build time was greatly reduced.

The contracts were awarded to 2 Queensland shipbuilders, Evans Deakin Ltd, in Brisbane and Walkers Ltd, in Maryborough. 

The hulls were steel and prefabricated in 7 sections. The upper-works were made of aluminium.

The Attack class patrol boats proved to be capable vessels and were used chiefly in maritime security and surveillance, boarder protection and fishery patrol duties.

HMAS Adroit was laid down and built by Evans Deakin Co Pty Ltd. It was launched by Mrs R I Peek, wife of the then Flag Officer Commanding the Australian Fleet, Rear Admiral Peek, on 3 March 1968 and commissioned in Brisbane at 11.30 am on 17 August 1968. Appointed in command was Lieutenant Commander G L Boyd RAN and following a brief work up the ship sailed for Sydney with HMAS Barbette.

After ammunitioning ship, a compass swing and minor defect rectification, the ship sailed for the Jervis Bay exercise area with HMAS Barbette for work-up trials. Upon completion of these trials, and following participation in an inshore infiltration exercise, Adroit left for Brisbane, exercising gun drills and small arms during the passage north.

Adroit, with HMAS Archer, returned to the exercise area of Jervis Bay where midshipmen from HMAS Creswell joined for training. The ship stayed in the Jervis Bay area and on 24 November while on search and rescue duties with HMAS Aware, it helped salvage a ditched helicopter from HMAS Albatross.

The ship then returned to Sydney before heading northwards to Brisbane, sheltering en route for one night behind Mutton Bird Island due to severe weather. Adroit stayed alongside HMAS Moreton, a RAN shore establishment on the Brisbane River, until May 1971 before undertaking fishery patrols around the Percy Islands. For the duration of that patrol the vessel was crewed by members of the Royal Australian Naval Reserve (RANR) taking part in annual continuous training. The patrol saw Adroit visit Heron Islet, Great Keppel Island, Mackay, Scawfell Island, Brampton Island, the Percy Islands, Bowen and Lindeman Islands before returning to Brisbane.

1972-1975

Adroit stayed alongside HMAS Moreton until February 1972 when it sailed for Gladstone with a mix of RANR and permanent naval forces (PNF) crew. On 29 February, while with HMA Ships Archer and Bombard, Adroit incurred damage to the port propeller after striking a submerged tree limb. 

On 12 March 1972 Adroit, with Archer and Bayonet, took part in a ceremonial sail-past at the Port of Alotau. Adroit then returned to Cairns resuming fishery patrols and survey work.

From June 1973 until 5 May 1974 Adroit stayed at HMAS Moreton before undertaking fishery patrols around the Gladstone, Fraser Island, Bundaberg, Percy Islands and Mackay areas. Early June saw Adroit crewed with a mixture of RANR and PNF crew conducting night encounter exercises with HMA Ships Archer, Bombard and Buccaneer.

The ships later took part in Exercise KANGAROO 1 before returning to Brisbane where Adroit stayed alongside until mid-August at which time it left for Sydney. There it was placed under the command of Lieutenant Commander P Ballestry RANR, for a period of annual continuous training for members of the RANR in the Sydney, Broken Bay area. 

In September Adroit went into a prolonged refit from which it emerged in February 1975, recommissioning at HMAS Waterhen. On completion Adroit took part in sea acceptance and gunnery trials overseen by members of the RAN Trials and Assessment Unit.

The early months of 1975 saw Adroit conducting exercises in the Eastern Australian Exercise Area before shaping a course for Darwin via Gladstone, Cairns and Thursday Island, arriving in mid-March 1975.

On 10 April fishery patrols began in the Port Essington to Gove area of operations. In May Adroit joined HMA Ships Moresby, Barricade and Buccaneer for a survey of the Bonaparte Gulf and in the vicinity of Con Bay, Razor Island, Kodan Island, Lesueur Island and Rocky Island. 

June saw the continuation of survey work with Moresby in the Bonaparte Gulf before Adroit detached for Darwin for midwinter leave and to undertake maintenance period. During that time the vessel was crewed by a spare crew under the command of Lieutenant C P Barr RAN which responded to a search and rescue call from the trawler Captain A E Trivett.

Fishery Patrols resumed and on 6 August and 2 Taiwanese fishing vessels, the Sheh Wei Numbers 6 and 7 were intercepted inside the declared fishing zone. Both vessels were arrested and escorted to Darwin for prosecution.

Adroit then took passage, with Assail and Advance, to take part in the annual Broome festival. While there, the ships were placed on immediate notice for sea in response to growing civil unrest in East Timor. Following the festival, fishery patrols were conducted around Ashmore Reef and Baudin Island before returning to Darwin for routine maintenance.

Fishery patrols in the north-west fishing zone resumed in October resulting in numerous interceptions of Taiwanese fishing vessels. 

December saw Adroit conducting its first Gulf Patrols where the Taiwanese fishing vessel Fu Yuan was arrested for fishing inside the declared fishing zone. It was subsequently towed back to Darwin for prosecution.

1976-1977

In 1976 Adroit resumed the normal pattern of fishery patrols seeking shelter on 9 and 10 January in Thursday Island from Tropical Cyclone Kim. Once the danger had passed, further patrols were conducted during the return passage to Darwin.

February saw Adroit at sea with HMA Ships Moresby and Assail to take part in a sounding of the Bonaparte Gulf. A short self-maintenance period followed in Darwin before returning to the Gulf area for fishery patrol work during March and April

June 1976 saw the arrest of more illegal fishing vessels which were escorted into Exmouth. Fishery patrol work continued in the north-west area with welcome respite coming when Adroit’s crew joined US service personnel based at Exmouth for 4th of July celebrations. Following this welcome interlude several of the crew appeared as witnesses in the trial of the Taiwanese fishing vessels Yih Tai Numbers 1 and 2.

As the pattern of patrol work continued in the north-west sector calls were made at Port Hedland, Carnarvon, Exmouth, Onslow and Broome.

On 9 August Adroit returned to the Gulf Area with stops made at Thursday Island, Weipa and Kurumba before heading back to Darwin for rest and recreation. During that time just one day was spent at sea when Adroit performed the role of ‘start boat’ for the Darwin to Ambon Yacht Race. It again performed this duty in September 1976, having been selected as the official start boat for the Cairns Centenary Yacht Race.

Participation in Exercise KANGAROO 1 followed where Adroit joined other Attack class boats successfully attacking an amphibious force. A return to Cairns was necessary following an engineering defect that resulted in the port engine being replaced. Upon successful completion of engineering trials, the ship returned to Darwin via Gove, Weipa and Thursday Island arresting 2 Taiwanese fishing vessels in the Gulf en route and escorting them to Weipa.

1977

Following Christmas leave fishery patrols resumed in the Gulf area where 2 Taiwanese vessels, the Huey Maw and Fong Kuo 2 were arrested and escorted to Weipa for prosecution. Patrols continued in the area before the ship returned to Darwin in early February for a self-maintenance period.

February saw Adroit back on patrol in the North West Sector calling at Broome and Exmouth before heading south to Fremantle for a 3-day visit. During the return voyage shelter was sought in Geraldton from Tropical Cyclone Karen before returning to Darwin.

May also saw Adroit operating with HMA Ships Moresby, Advance and Bayonet conducting surveys of the Joseph Bonaparte Gulf. Following this, the ship helped with a medical evacuation from a Vietnamese refugee vessel taking the casualty to Broome. Later, in June, Adroit was also called upon to assist a Darwin pilot boat which was disabled due to a fire in its engine room. The vessel was taken in tow and recovered to Darwin.

Fishery patrols resumed in July along the Arnhem Coast and the Gulf area resulting in the arrest of the Taiwanese vessel Tai Yin Shang which was apprehended fishing inside the declared fishing zone before being towed back to Darwin. Mid-July provided a welcome change of pace for Adroit’s small crew when 20 Australian Army commandos joined it for an infiltration exercise conducted along the coast near the East Alligator River.

Following a brief self-maintenance period in Darwin the patrol boat returned to the north-west sector in August calling at Port Hedland, Broome and Point Murat en route.

In the late 1970s Vietnamese refugee boats were frequently arriving in Australian waters and the Attack class patrol boat crews were routinely being called upon to locate and provide assistance to them. Adroit assisted a number of these vessels and during its return voyage to Darwin in September it assisted yet another in trouble near Vansittart Reef. The vessel was quickly taken in tow to Darwin, where after a brief stop Adroit returned to sea to patrol the northern sector.

1978

Adroit stayed in Darwin until mid-February before conducting further post refit trials and patrol work in the Beagle Gulf area. There it rendezvoused with HMAS Ardent for drills and manoeuvres as part of an at-sea inspection by the naval officer commanding northern Australia. After a brief stop at Darwin it resumed fishery patrols in the Beagle Gulf where 4 Taiwanese vessels were intercepted. 

An operational readiness evaluation was conducted in March and later in the month Adroit went to the assistance of HMAS Aware which had developed engine trouble. March also saw a visit by the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral AM Synnot RAN, who addressed the crew concerning the importance of patrolling Australia’s northern approaches. This affirmation of the importance of their often long and monotonous patrol work was welcome recognition from the Navy’s senior leader.

Adroit continued patrolling the Beagle Gulf area becoming the first vessel to use the 81mm mortar to illuminate a contact at night. 

May 1978 saw the continuation of fishery patrols in the Beagle Gulf area based from Darwin. The patrol cycle routinely saw Attack class boats coming and going from Darwin as they balanced routine maintenance schedules with the demands of patrol work in northern Australian waters. 

June saw the resumption of fishery patrols with frequent stops at Weipa and Gove. During this patrol Adroit transited through the ‘hole in the wall’ between the islands of Raragala and Guluwuru before returning to Darwin.

In July Adroit operated to the west of Darwin fuelling at Broome, Port Hedland and Exmouth before heading south of Rockingham. During this period Adroit enjoyed a break from patrol duties conducting pilotage training with junior officers from HMAS Stuart. During this evolution Adroit touched bottom requiring it to berth at HMAS Stirling where it was slipped for inspection of its propellers and shafts. Upon completion of the docking the ship underwent a compass swing before heading back to Darwin via Exmouth.

September saw the ship alongside in Darwin undergoing maintenance and its crew on parade as part of an annual inspection of the vessel. This was followed by Adroit sailing with HMA Ships Ardent, Assail and Aware to take part in Squadron Exercises (SQUADEX) where all facets of patrol boat force duties were successfully exercised.

Fishery patrols resumed later in the month in the NW area with calls made at Broome for fuel and supplies. During this patrol Adroit was ordered to intercept a Philippine vessel Carlito Flores operating in the vicinity of Caffarelli Island. Following the successful interception the vessel was escorted into Broome and handed over to the local authorities. Fishery patrols were then continued with a further 5 Indonesian vessels boarded before the end of the month.

The high tempo of patrol work continued into November and it was during this patrol that the boarding of a Taiwanese fishing vessel Fu Yuan on 8 November proved to be the catalyst for an inquiry concerning the conduct of a number of boarding operations undertaken by Adroit between April and November 1978. The inquiry resulted in a court martial handing down a guilty verdict and dismissing Adroit’s commanding officer from the service.

On 28 November Adroit provided urgent medical assistance to the Taiwanese fishing vessel Kao Cheng 21 which was intercepted making best speed towards Darwin and flying the distinctive yellow quarantine flag. The vessel was subsequently boarded and a seriously ill crewman transferred to Adroit and ferried to Darwin where he was transferred by ambulance to hospital. Adroit then resumed its patrol in the Gulf area with a notable rise in morale.

1979

January 1979 saw Adroit at sea with HMAS Ardent conducting trials and fishery patrols in the Beagle Gulf. An early return to Darwin proved necessary to evade Cyclone Greta and to attend to lingering engine problems. With repairs completed the normal pattern of patrol work resumed culminating with 3 interceptions of Taiwanese fishing vessels before anchoring off Fenelon Island.

February saw a continuation of patrol work in the north-western area of Beagle Gulf and the conduct of a short exercise with HMAS Ardent before anchoring off Mandorah Jetty and then proceeding to Darwin for scheduled maintenance.

Cyclonic conditions again hindered patrol work in March 1979 causing Adroit to seek shelter from Tropical Cyclone Hazel in Broome. By the end of March Adroit had boarded and inspected a further 4 Taiwanese vessels and carried out a successful gunnery exercise with HMA Ships Assail and Aware before berthing at Darwin.

In April Adroit shaped course for HMAS Stirling carrying out a fishery patrol en route during which 2 Taiwanese fishing vessels were inspected, and a fuel stop was made at Geraldton. The ship stayed at Stirling until 19 April before making the return passage to Darwin. On 28 April Adroit sailed with 12 members of the 7th Independent Rifle Company of the Army Reserve embark for an exercise on Bathurst Island. The soldiers were recovered the following day and transported back to Darwin where the ship stayed for the rest of the month.

May saw Adroit operate briefly with HMA Ships Perth, Vendetta, Derwent and Barbette before an engineering defect forced its premature return to Darwin. With repairs completed by early June the ship resumed fishery patrols in the Beagle Gulf and Gulf of Carpentaria calling at Gove for fuel and stores. During that time the ship located many Taiwanese drift netters, boarding and temporarily detaining one of them.

A change of scenery followed in July 1979 when Adroit sailed for the West Coast to participate in Exercise CRABBES FALL with the Special Air Service Regiment. 

August of 1979 saw the ship alongside in Darwin and being visited by Commodore M Hudson and a parliamentary committee regarding the siting of the proposed new patrol boat base in Darwin. Following this the ship patrolled the Beagle Gulf area until the end of the month.

The following month saw the ship alongside in Darwin where divisions were held followed by an annual inspection of the ship. On completion Adroit was soon back at sea with HMA Ships Ardent, Assail and Aware participating in Exercise DARWEX 79. On completion of the exercise Adroit returned to Darwin undertaking routine maintenance on the slipway.

For the rest of the year Adroit took part in fishery patrol work around Bathurst Island, the Beagle Gulf and Gove. November saw the apprehension of a Taiwanese vessel which was escorted to Darwin to face prosecution. 

Adroit then helped a grounded Taiwanese vessel, the Fong Kuo, at Cape Van Dreman. The vessel was successfully refloated and subsequently repaired in Darwin. Later in the month Adroit returned to Darwin for the trial of a previously apprehended vessel before resuming patrol work in King Sound. There an Indonesian fishing vessel was discovered hiding in the mangroves at High Island, boarded and issued a warning. The ship then went to Broome for fuel and supplies.

Departing Broome in early December, patrols of the Rowley Shoals and the North West Cape followed before taking on fuel at Exmouth. The year came to an end with the investigation of a report of a fishing vessel hiding in mangroves. The vessel, the Usaha Hidup was located, and the crew issued a formal warning. 

1980

The new decade saw Adroit continue patrol work in the north of Australia. Calls were made at Port Essington early in January before joining up with HMAS Aware for a workup period and Operational Readiness Evaluation. Upon completion, fishery patrol work resumed until Tropical Cyclone Brian forced the return of the ship to Darwin. Adroit had been tasked to sail to Ujung Pandang in Sulawesi but this visit was cancelled due to heavy seas causing flooding and spoiling provisions. The ship consequently remained in Darwin for a 2-week maintenance period.

Mid-February saw Adroit back at sea with HMAS Aware until engine troubles again forced an early return to Darwin. Repairs were made and on 20 February Adroit shaped a course for Rockingham calling at Monte Bello Island en route where repairs were made to radiation warning signs. The ship then enjoyed a 2-day layover in Geraldton before resuming course for Rockingham.

The beginning of March saw Adroit berthed at HMAS Stirling before patrolling waters around Esperance and Albany. The ship was opened for public inspection during a port visit to Esperance before returning to sea to monitor a Japanese squid fleet operating in the area. Rough seas forced Adroit to return to HMAS Stirling on 12 March for a self-maintenance period. On 21 March Adroit sailed for Darwin calling at Dampier for fuel along the way. The ship remained alongside in Darwin until 14 April when it resumed fishery patrols of the Beagle Gulf before returning to Darwin for Anzac Day.

In May 1980 Adroit took part in Exercise SWAMP IBIS during which the vessel managed to successfully conceal itself using camouflage until aerial photographs revealed its disguise. Adroit was then used as a simulated target ship for attacks by F-111 and Mirage Aircraft. Adroit responded by firing blank 40/60 break-up shot.

The following month saw Adroit board 2 Taiwanese fishing vessels and conduct further patrols to the Beagle Gulf and the Buccaneer Archipelago. Visits to Broome and Port Hedland for fuel and supplies followed before returning to Darwin for a self-maintenance period. Engine trouble saw a further patrol to the Beagle Gulf curtailed and a premature return to Darwin.

Routine fishery patrols continued throughout July with several Indonesian vessels being boarded and receiving warnings. During this patrol Adroit grounded on Wildcat Reef and had to be towed back into Darwin by HMAS Ardent for inspection and repairs.

Intermediate repairs to the damaged patrol boat took place on the slipway in Darwin early in August before shaping a course for Cairns via the Wessell Islands. The ship arrived at Cairns and was slipped on 19 August for a refit which lasted until 17 October at which time Lieutenant C J Ellis, RAN assumed command. 

Adroit conducted post refit trials until 1 November incorporating a successful families day at sea into the program and visits to Hayman Island, Townsville, Dunk Island and Fitzroy Island where it anchored in company with HMAS Barbette. A niggling port engine defect saw the ship return to Cairns necessitating the port engine to be replaced.

December saw post engine replacement trials and a compass swing take place before returning to Cairns for a gearbox overhaul. The ship finally left Cairns for Darwin via Thursday Island arriving on 19 December for holiday leave.

1981

The new year began for Adroit on 6 January when it sailed in company with HMAS Ardent and Aware to conduct seamanship evolutions and exercises at sea. During one of these drills Adroit’s bow struck Ardent’s starboard side amidships making a small hole on the waterline. Adroit returned to Darwin and on 20 January was slipped to investigate damage.

By the middle of February Adroit was back in the water to complete programmed work ups in company with Aware. Its run of bad luck seemed to continue, however, when later in the month when undertaking a tow a rope fouled the starboard propeller. This was subsequently cleared and the end of the month saw the ship undertaking an annual inspection followed by divisions.

Fishery patrols resumed in March in the north-west area with 4 Taiwanese vessels boarded before heading to Exmouth to take on fuel and stores. 

April saw Adroit in the Browse Island, Ashmore Reef area where it located another Vietnamese refugee boat to the south-west of Bathurst Island. This boat was escorted to Darwin and handed over to the relevant authorities for processing. Adroit then returned to fishery patrol work in the Bathurst Island area before embarking 2 veterans of the Second World War Australian Army ‘Gull Force.’ These former soldiers were then transported to Ambon where Adroit stayed alongside at Halong Naval Base. There, members of the ship’s company participated in Anzac Day activities and a sports day, with the ship also open to visitors before making the voyage back to Darwin.

June saw Adroit on passage to Ujung Pandang where it remained alongside until the middle of the month before returning to Darwin. Fishery patrols were quickly resumed and it was during this patrol that the ship achieved 200 000 nautical miles since commissioning.

The following month saw Adroit undertaking fishery patrols to the north-west calling at Broome and Port Hedland. Eight interceptions of foreign fishing vessels were undertaken during this patrol with the assistance of a Western Australian fisheries inspector.

August saw the ship return to the north-west area before berthing at Darwin where the ship was visited by local school children. The remainder of the month was consumed with routine patrol work near Ashmore Reef where 2 Indonesian fishing vessels were boarded.

Fishery patrols continued throughout September in the Gulf of Carpentaria area where the ship supported Exercise WALLABY HOP with the 2/4th RAR before returning to Darwin via Thursday Island and Alyangula.

Divisions were held in early November followed by engine trials and further visits to the patrol boat by local school children. The month concluded with participation in a SQUADEX with Assail, Aware and Bayonet before returning to Darwin.

Early December saw Adroit operating chiefly in the Wessel Islands area investigating a reported submarine sighting which proved inconclusive. Its crew met with tribal elders in Grays Bay and visited Alyangula before returning to Darwin for the Christmas leave period.

1982

January 1982 saw Adroit at sea in company with HMAS Aware in Gove where members of the Australian Army’s Norforce were embarked for passage to Raragala Island. Upon completion Adroit in company with Assail and Barbette berthed at Alyangula. In recognition of Adroit’s frequent visits to Alyangula the local golf club adopted Adroit adding to previous adoptions by the Arnhem Golf Club and Kenmore Girl Guides in Brisbane.

February saw patrols continuing in the north-west area with stops for fuel and stores made at Broome, Yampi Sound and Port Hedland before returning to Darwin.

In March a new commanding officer, Lieutenant M J Taylor RAN, joined the ship in Darwin, and following a short maintenance period it departed Darwin to patrol the north-west areas calling at Broome and Derby. On that occasion 2 Taiwanese fishing vessels were intercepted and boarded.

The patrol of the north-west continued throughout April where a further 5 interceptions were made before the ship returned briefly to Darwin before heading to the Gulf of Carpentaria area of operations. The ship was again visiting Alyangula on Anzac Day where Adroit’s commanding officer took the salute during a march past. Fishery patrols resumed soon-after with a further visit to Gove before returning to Darwin.

Early May saw Adroit alongside in Darwin undertaking important maintenance before resuming the normal pattern of fishery patrols duties in the north-west areas with 2 Western Australian fisheries inspectors embarked. Ports visits were made to Wyndham, Broome and Dampier where 2 Taiwanese trawlers were boarded. The ship then visited Monte Bello Islands to check on the residual radiation levels at an oyster farm before proceeding to Dampier.

June saw the ship experiencing severe weather and visiting Derby before heading to Darwin for participation in a SQUADEX with ships of the same class Aware, Acute, Assail and Buccaneer. 

In July, fishery patrols were cut short due to an engine room fire. The fire was quickly extinguished but the event necessitated Adroit returning to Darwin to assess damage. Fishery patrols resumed later in the month in the north-west areas which included port visits to Broome and Port Hedland. During this patrol 6 Taiwanese fishing vessels were boarded.

Routine maintenance saw Adroit spend the first half of August in Darwin before resuming patrols in the East Arnhem area and Gove. This was followed by participation in a night encounter exercise with HMA Ships Yarra and Swan before returning to Darwin.

Early September 1982 saw further patrol work take place in the north-west areas calling at Broome, West Lewis Island and Scott Reef. Two Indonesian vessels and 3 Taiwanese pair trawlers were boarded during that time. News was also received of a successful prosecution against a previously intercepted Taiwanese fishing vessel which was heavily fined for incursions into Australian territory by a Broome Court. By the end of the patrol a further 9 vessels had been boarded before the patrol boat returned to Darwin. 

In October 1982 Adroit became one of the first patrol boats to use the new wharf at the Darwin Naval Base (DNB). Fishery patrols recommenced with calls made to Yampi Sound, Broome, Adele Island and Derby. Two Indonesian fishing vessels were boarded during that time. The ship then continued further south to patrol Scott Reef where a further 7 Indonesian fishing vessels were boarded before returning to Darwin.

November saw divisions and an annual inspection of Adroit conducted followed by a compass swing and sea trials. The ship then proceeded to Exmouth to tow HMAS Buccaneer, which had suffered a major engineering defect, back to Darwin. Before the end of the month Adroit was joined by officers of the Northern Territory Parks and Wildlife to survey the Ashmore Reef area. The remainder of the year was spent alongside undergoing urgent maintenance.

1983

January 1983 saw Adroit on passage to HMAS Stirling which was to be its future home port. En route, it made calls at Broome and Point Murat, encountering very rough seas throughout the southerly passage causing minor damage to the vessel. Once at HMAS Stirling crews were exchanged with HMAS Acute and a new commanding officer appointed (Lieutenant S V Townsend RAN) as it prepared for a new chapter of service.

Adroit remained alongside until March at which time it departed for sea trials before heading north to conduct fishery patrols calling at Geraldton, Dampier, Monte Bello Islands and Port Hedland en route. On completion the ship returned to HMAS Stirling for routine maintenance.

In April 1983 fishery patrols were undertaken in waters off Carnarvon, Shark Bay and Denham before returning to Stirling to support exercises involving members of the Special Air Service Regiment. The ship then conducted fishery patrols in southerly waters making calls at Bunbury and Busselton where the crew participated in an Anzac Day parade.

The patrol work continued in southern waters throughout early May before Adroit returned to HMAS Stirling where preparations were made to hand over the vessel to the RANR for future operations and training purposes. 

On 26 August 1983 in a small ceremony conducted in the small boats harbour at HMAS Stirling its commanding officer, Lieutenant Peter Lockwood RAN, handed Adroit over to the commanding officer of the Fremantle Port Division Commander Don Bantock RD RANR, for use by the Western Australian Division of the RANR. In that role its crew comprised 3 RANR officers, 14 RANR sailors and 2 PNF sailors.

1984-1992

As a training vessel Adroit regularly participated in exercises in the Western Australian Exercise Area during which time it operated routinely with both major and minor units of the RAN and RANR. Port visits were routinely made along the Western Australian coastline as well as several to Darwin. Some fishery patrol work was also undertaken and Adroit continued to add to its already impressive tally of interceptions.

Other highlights included involvement in the very successful 1987 America’s Cup yacht race when it joined HMA Ships Derwent, Stuart, Swan, Geraldton and Bunbury in waters off Gage Roads.

On Sunday 28 March 1992 HMAS Adroit decommissioned at HMAS Stirling.