HMAS Ararat (II)

HMAS Ararat was the seventh of 14 Armidale Class Patrol Boats (ACPB) constructed for the Royal Australian Navy (RAN). It was built by Austal Ships at Henderson, Western Australia, as part of a $553 million contract between the Federal Government and Defence Maritime Services.

The Armidale class vessels continued the legacy of service established by the RAN’s former Attack and Fremantle Class Patrol boats. The larger, more capable ACPBs were characterised by good seakeeping qualities, improved range and endurance, as well as hosting a state-of-the-art surveillance system. They have contributed significantly over the last two decades to myriad border protection and maritime security operations, both in Australian waters and throughout the south-west Pacific. 

Commissioning 

After conducting trials in what would become its homeport of Darwin, HMAS Ararat (II) proceeded to Melbourne where it commissioned into the RAN on 10 November 2006 under the command of Lieutenant Commander Paul Ruhl, RAN. Among the guests present at the ceremony were former crew members of the first HMAS Ararat, the then Chief of Navy, Vice Admiral Russ Shalders, AO, CSC, RAN, the Mayor of the City of Ararat, Cr Ian Wilson, and as Guest of Honour and Commissioning Lady, Mrs Jennifer O’Malley. Mrs O’Malley’s late father, Lieutenant Commander Norman Muzzell, was the commissioning commanding officer of HMAS Ararat (I) and remained her commanding officer for the duration of World War II. The new patrol boat returned to her homeport of Darwin later in the month. 

Roles and Operations

Ararat’s primary role was the execution of constabulary and surveillance operations in Australia’s northern waters. Ararat was first assigned to Operation RESOLUTE, the Australian Defence Force operation to protect Australia’s borders and offshore maritime interests, in December 2006. It diligently contributed in that capacity for over 15 years.

Throughout its commission, Ararat conducted innumerable intercept, control and transport operations of both Foreign Fishing Vessels and Suspected Irregular Entry Vessels. On several occasions members of Ararat’s ship’s company risked their own safety to rescue people at sea whose own vessels had sunk or were in distress. Ararat also regularly conducted patrols of oil and gas installations in northern Australian waters and was used as a training platform for RAN members.

Ararat also contributed to multi-national operations participating in Operation AUGURY, part of Australia’s efforts to counter terrorism and violent extremist organisations around the world, with Philippine naval units in July and August 2017, and in October and November 2019. She also conducted combined maritime patrols with ships of the Tentara Nasional Indonesia Angkatan Laut under the auspices of AUSINDO CORPAT.

Ararat regularly provided support to the civil community, responding to a number of mariners in distress, and through the provision of emergency support, engineering assistance and medivac capabilities to people in need. 

Regional Engagement

Against the backdrop of her operational commitments, Ararat was a regular participant in diplomatic, ceremonial and commemorative events.

Ararat visited numerous ports in nations throughout Asia and the Pacific including Rabaul, Pohnpei, Guam, Koror, Singapore, Port Blair, Penang, Jakarta, Benoa, Madang, Zamboanga, Dili, Cebu, Manus Island and Port Moresby. She also participated in the multi-national Exercise MILAN held in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in 2012, as well as various passage exercises with units from foreign navies including the Federated States of Micronesia, the Philippines and Indonesia. In May 2022, Ararat rescued the crew of a Royal Solomon Islands Police Force vessel, which had been reported missing. The stricken vessel was quickly located, and the crew and passengers were recovered in good health before being transported to Korovou, Shortland Island.  

Ararat participated in a number of fleet exercises in Australian waters including Exercises TRITON THUNDER and CASSOWARY with naval units from Indonesia in 2012. It also participated in Exercise PARADISE in August and September 2015, and again in August 2017, with units of the Papua New Guinea Navy, designed to enhance interoperability between the two nations’ defence forces.

Ararat’s ship’s company conducted a Freedom of Entry parade in the City of Ararat on 7 May 2022, and also participated in the city’s Anzac Day commemorations in 2017. 

For many years the Armidale class patrol boats were crewed by RAN personnel drawn from multiple patrol boat crews, before reverting to a more conventional single crew arrangement on 24 August 2015. During that time, many hundreds of officers and sailors served in HMAS Ararat developing a strong affiliation with the ship.

HMAS Ararat decommissioned on 2 July 2022 after more than 15 years of proud service to the nation.