HMAS

Cape Capricorn

HMAS Cape Capricorn is the fourth of 10 Evolved Cape Class Patrol Boats. Named after Cape Capricorn, Queensland, she has a ceremonial homeport of Gladstone, Queensland.

Cape Capricorn entered into service on 24 February 2023 at HMAS Stirling, Western Australia. On completion of their mariner skills evaluation Cape Capricorn sailed north towards its home port of Darwin. Steaming around Tropical Cyclone Ilsa, the vessel arrived in Darwin on 14 April 2023 to complete unit and mission readiness. Cape Capricorn then supported Operation RESOLUTE from 22 May 2023.

Led by Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Commander Alec Fieldsend, Cape Capricorn, alongside sister ship Cape Naturaliste, was officially welcomed to Darwin on 20 June 2023.

Since entering into service, Cape Capricorn and crew have been assigned to Operation RESOLUTE, directly contributing to Australia’s maritime security through fisheries protection, immigration, customs and drug law enforcement operations.

The badge for Cape Capricorn depicts the sea-goat; a mythical creature associated with the zodiac sign of Capricorn, with the head of a goat with the tail of a fish. In heraldic terms the sea-goat represents winning victories at sea through diplomacy.

The badge draws its colours from the Cape’s home state’s official colours white and maroon.

The motto is an simplification of Captain James Cook’s family motto ‘NIL INTENTATUM RELIQUIT” (he left nothing unattempted), who was the first European to map the seas around Cape Capricorn.

Originally an Australian Defence Vessel (ADV), the ship was commissioned into the Navy fleet on 12 December 2024 in a ceremony in Darwin. HMAS Cape Capricorn is the first ship to bear the name in the RAN.