HMAS Wollongong (II)

HMAS Wollongong was one of 15 Fremantle Class patrol boats in the Royal Australian Navy and the third to be built by North Queensland Engineers and Agents Ltd (NQEA) at Cairns, Queensland, Australia.

The main peacetime role of Wollongong was supporting the Civil Surveillance Program. The Civil Surveillance Program was designed to assist various Government agencies to achieve effective surveillance of coastal and offshore areas of Australia.

These agencies include Customs, Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS), Department of Immigration, Australian Fisheries Management Agency (AFMA) and Environment Australia. This service was delivered through the coordination of Government assets (including RAN FCPBs) and civil contractors and was managed by Coastwatch Australia.

HMAS Wollongong took part in 'Non Warlike' service in the Solomon Islands as part of Operation HELPUM FREN (October/November 2003). During the course of its service Wollongong visited many ports in South East Asia and the Pacific and also travelled extensively to Australian Ports.