Marine Unit (Australian Border Force)

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ABF Marine Unit
ABF flag
Active2015 (2015) – present
CountryAustralia
AgencyAustralian Border Force
TypeCoast guard
Role
Part ofMaritime Border Command
HeadquartersCanberra, Australia
AbbreviationABF MU
Commanders
Current
commander		Commander Claire Rees (Acting)[1]
Equipment
Boats12 major ships
13 patrol boats
Website
https://www.abf.gov.au/about-us/what-we-do/border-protection/maritime

The Marine Unit, formerly the Australian Customs Service National Marine Unit, is a division of the Australian Border Force (ABF) which acts as a coast guard for guarding Australia's coast. The Marine Unit focuses on surveillance and response activities within the Australian Exclusive Economic Zone, and the operation and training of ships and crews for these functions.

Operations

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ABFC Cape St. George patrolling an offshore oil platform

The CMU and the Border Protection Division (formerly known as Coastwatch) make up the Customs contribution to Maritime Border Command, a joint command with the Australian Defence Force and incorporating assets from the Australian Fisheries Management Authority, the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service, and state-level agencies. Maritime Border Command is responsible for protecting Australia's maritime areas, offshore assets, and external territories from threats, including the exploitation of natural resources, people smuggling, importation or exportation of drugs and other illegal items, piracy, and terrorism.

Facilities

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The ABF maintains a permanent base of operations for the Marine Unit at the Port Darwin East Arm Wharf.[2]

Ships

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Ships operated by the CMU have been given the prefix Australian Border Force Cutter (ABFC) since the creation of the ABF. Ships were previously referred to as Australian Customs Vessels (ACVs).

Current ships

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The largest ship in the ABF fleet is the 110.9-metre (364 ft) offshore patrol vessel ABFC Ocean Shield, which entered service in June 2012 and is a sister ship to ADV Ocean Protector.[3] ABFC Thaiyak is a unique 40-metre (130 ft) vessel delivered in June 2014,[4] intended to replace the ACV Ashmore Guardian for use around the Ashmore and Cartier Islands. In addition, charter arrangements give the ABF access to an additional twenty vessels of various sizes and types; these are called on when required to transport apprehended foreign fishermen and illegal entrants, or tow captured vessels. The ABF announced life extension work for two remaining Bay-class patrol boats and mid-life cycle works for the Cape-class patrol boats.[5]

Current fleet[6]
Image Class Name Type Entered service Details
ABFC Ocean Shield, Ocean Shield
ABFC Ocean Shield, Ocean Shield
 N/A Ocean Shield Sealift, offshore patrol 2012 Previously operated by the Royal Australian Navy.
N/A Thaiyak Long term Ashmore capability (LTAC) 2014 Primarily stationed at the Ashmore and Cartier Islands.
ABFC Cape St. George, Cape St. George
ABFC Cape St. George, Cape St. George
 Cape-class patrol boat Cape St. George Offshore patrol 2013
Cape-class patrol boat Cape Byron Offshore patrol 2014
Cape-class patrol boat Cape Nelson Offshore patrol 2014
ABFC Cape Sorell, Cape Sorell
ABFC Cape Sorell, Cape Sorell
 Cape-class patrol boat Cape Sorell Offshore patrol 2014
Cape-class patrol boat Cape Jervis Offshore patrol 2015
Cape-class patrol boat Cape Leveque Offshore patrol 2015
Cape-class patrol boat Cape Wessel Offshore patrol 2015
ABFC Cape York, Cape York
ABFC Cape York, Cape York
 Cape-class patrol boat Cape York Offshore patrol 2015
Then ACV Roebuck Bay (10) alongside ACV Dame Roma Mitchell (70)
Then ACV Roebuck Bay (10) alongside ACV Dame Roma Mitchell (70)
 Bay-class patrol boat Roebuck Bay Offshore patrol 2000 Undergoing life extension work in 2024.[5] Replacement Evolved Cape-class patrol boat ordered.[7]
Then ACV Storm Bay
Then ACV Storm Bay
 Bay-class patrol boat Storm Bay Offshore patrol 2000 Undergoing life extension work in 2024.[5] Replacement Evolved Cape-class patrol boat ordered.[7]

Small boats

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In 2017, the ABF signed contracts to acquire 13 new harbour and coastal patrol boats.[8] These vessels are stationed around the country and are used for a variety of operations including coastal patrol, surveillance and drug interdiction.[9]

  • ABF boat Rottnest Island, Fremantle
    ABF boat Rottnest Island, Fremantle
  • An ABF harbour patrol vessel, Pilbara Coast, Fremantle, 2020
    An ABF harbour patrol vessel, Pilbara Coast, Fremantle, 2020
  • ABF rigid-hulled inflatable boat Rottnest Island near Kwinana Bulk Terminal, August 2021
    ABF rigid-hulled inflatable boat Rottnest Island near Kwinana Bulk Terminal, August 2021

Future ships

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The Royal Australian Navy (RAN) is acquiring ten Evolved Cape-class patrol boats to act as a stopgap replacement for the Armidale-class patrol boat as they await completion of the Arafura-class offshore patrol vessels.[10] It remains unclear if these Evolved Cape-class patrol vessels will be transferred to the ABF once all Arafura-class vessels have been commissioned into RAN service.

Former Bay class Australian Customs Vessel Botany Bay (ACV30) returns to Stokes Hill Wharf, Darwin, Australia

The 2023 Defence Strategic Review was reportedly considering removing the Arafura-class from RAN service and transferring them to the ABF Marine Unit; this is being considered as the Arafura-class lacks the capabilities required in high-end warfighting.[11][12] Under that plan, the RAN would instead acquire a fleet of general purpose frigates.

Former ships

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References

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  1. ^ "ABF Organisational Chart" (PDF). Retrieved 24 October 2022.
  2. ^ VANOVAC, NEDA. "'No port security fear': Border Force head". NT News. Retrieved 25 October 2022.
  3. ^ "Australian Defence Vessel (ADV) Ocean Shield - Naval Technology". Retrieved 13 September 2019.
  4. ^ "Strategic Marine Delivers MV Thaiyak".
  5. ^ a b c "Border Force progressing fleet upgrades - Australian Defence Magazine". www.australiandefence.com.au. Retrieved 28 January 2024.
  6. ^ "Patrol vessels". Australian Border Force. Retrieved 1 September 2021.
  7. ^ a b "Austal Australia awarded contract for two additional Evolved Cape-class Patrol Boats for Australian Border Force". Austal Corporate. 2024-12-22.
  8. ^ "New fleet of ABF Port and Coastal Vessels on the way". Retrieved 25 October 2022.
  9. ^ "ABF launch new patrol boat in Melbourne to crackdown on drug smugglers". Herald Sun. Retrieved 25 October 2022.
  10. ^ "Evolved Cape-Class Patrol Boats, Australia". Naval Technology. Retrieved 25 October 2022.
  11. ^ Felton, Benjamin (20 December 2022). "What does Australia's Strategic Review hold for the RAN?". Naval News. Retrieved 9 January 2023.
  12. ^ Greene, Andrew (9 October 2022). "'97 years late': Expensive problems on major defence projects concern federal government". ABC News. Retrieved 9 January 2023.
  13. ^ "First of Two Bay Class Patrol Boats Gifted to Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency". 26 March 2015.
  14. ^ "Bay Class Gifting – Flag Transfer Ceremony - Australian Border Force Newsroom".
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