HMAS

Cape Woolamai

HMAS Cape Woolamai is the fifth of 10 Evolved Cape Class Patrol Boats and is named after the south-eastern tip of Phillip Island, Victoria and has a ceremonial homeport of Cowes, Victoria.

Cape Woolamai was officially accepted by the Commonwealth of Australia at a ceremony in Austal’s Henderson, Western Australia shipyard on 22 June 2023.

Post acceptance by Defence on 9 August 2023, Cape Woolamai and its crew completed mariner skills evaluation and unit readiness work ups, prior to sailing for its home port of Darwin.

Cape Woolamai and its crew were officially welcomed to their home port of HMAS Coonawarra with a ceremony conducted at Larrakeyah Defence Precinct, led by Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Commander James Knight, on 29 September 2023.

The badge for Cape Woolamai depicts the natural rock formations at the pinnacles on Cape Woolamai, Victoria.

The motto of ‘INTREPID’ was chosen because of the important nesting sites of Shearwater sea birds near the cape and referencing the long journey of migration they take every year.

Like their motto, on their first patrol Cape Woolamai became the first Evolved Cape Class Patrol Boat to operate in the Cocos Keeling Island region as part of the Navy's contribution to Australia’s maritime security.