ADV Cape Peron welcomed home for the first time

Australian Defence Vessel (ADV) Cape Peron has been formally welcomed to her home port at HMAS Cairns.

CAPTION: The ship’s company of Australian Defence Vessel Cape Peron, ‘cheer-ship’ during an official welcome to home port HMAS Cairns. Story by Lieutenants Max Logan and Gary McHugh. Photo by Seaman Lauren Pugsley.

The boat is the second of its class to be homeported at Cairns, with ADV Cape Otway arriving at the base in June.

Cape Peron Commanding Officer Lieutenant Commander Jonathan Webb said his ship’s company was happy to have arrived at their home port and were ready for operational tasking.

“The entire crew has worked hard to get to this point and we’re all eager to put our extensive training into action,” Lieutenant Commander Webb said.

Able Seaman Boatswains Mate Daniel Shearsmith said Cape Peron was his first sea posting and he was looking forward to being part of the team.

“I feel really lucky to have been posted to the newest vessel in the fleet,” Able Seaman Shearsmith said.

“I’m really looking forward to progressing my career and honing my seamanship skills, particularly in the various boarding operations I’ll be involved in.”

A local man from the Cairns region, Able Seaman Shearsmith said he was happy to be back in far-north Queensland.

“I feel very fortunate to have been posted back to my home region as I grew up in Edmonton and it’s great to be close to my family and friends,” Able Seaman Shearsmith said.

The Evolved Cape-class boats are designed for deployment in a range of constabulary and naval tasks.

Along with Navy’s Armidale-class patrol boats, the vessels represent a primary enabler of the ADF’s contribution to the Government’s border security operations.

A total of eight Evolved Cape-class vessels are scheduled for delivery by shipbuilder Austal Australia which is based in Henderson, Western Australia.

CAPTION: Warrant Officer Anthony Booby, right, presents Able Seaman Shearsmith with an ADV Cape Peron coin. Photo by Seaman Lauren Pugsley

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