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Royal Australian Navy Armidale Class patrol boat HMAS Broome (II) has entered Darwin Harbour for the last time ahead of its official decommissioning later this month.
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HMAS Broome (II) also made a final pit stop in its namesake town of Broome in northern Western Australia before it’s official decommissioning in Darwin on 29 August.
The patrol boat, built by Austal Ships in Western Australia, was commissioned in February 2007 as a contributor to the nation’s fisheries protection, immigration, customs and law enforcement operations alongside the Australian Border Force.
The Armidale Class was designed to intercept and apprehend vessels in a greater range of sea conditions than the earlier patrol boat classes and forms the primary enabler of Australian Defence Force contribution to Operation Sovereign Borders.
“More than 17 years later, the boat’s final visit was another joyous affair, with the crew enjoying Broome’s sights and literally getting their skates on to engage with local youth,” a public statement made by the Shire of Broome said.
On Friday, 2 August, four crew members, including HMAS Broome Commanding Officer Lieutenant Commander Christopher Wardle, visited The Skill Engineer program, which helps young people raise their literacy and numeracy and embark on vocational activities that can be linked to future career pathways.
“The sailors spoke with some of the program participants about life in the navy and the trade training opportunities they have received, They then toured the workshop where they were particularly impressed with the e-scooters the participants build for themselves.
“As well as teaching the young people new skills, the e-scooters provide transport for them to attend job interviews and get to job placements or employment.
“On Friday evening, about a dozen crew members visited the PCYC Roller Disco held in conjunction with the Shire’s A Sporting Chance youth diversionary program.
“They were quickly kitted out with skates to help some of the children find their feet, though in some cases, the kids had to return the favour.
“Lieutenant Commander Wardle said it was a privilege to engage with both programs and to continue the bond between HMAS Broome and the Broome community on the boat’s final visit prior to decommissioning.”
In addition, HMAS Broome (II) is also famous for taking a starring role in 2008 as one of two patrol boats used as the fictional HMAS Hammersley on the Channel 9 television drama, Sea Patrol.
The decommissioning follows a similar farewell to HMAS Melville, which was decommissioned in Cairns on 8 August.
Across 24 years of service, Melville steamed 575,808 nautical miles, contributed over 32,000 nautical miles of surveying, and visited more than nine countries.
