The Australian Border Force (ABF) has today launched a new Port, Harbour and Coastal (PHC) vessel to strengthen its maritime capabilities across New South Wales.
Based in Sydney, the 12.4 metre Lord Howe Island is one of a suite of vessels launched across the country to provide the ABF with a greater range and maritime operational capability.
ABF Regional Commander for New South Wales, Danielle Yannopoulos, said the vessel Lord Howe Island will help ABF officers maintain a strong and continuous presence along the New South Wales coast.
"This vessel will be used to support our officers in Sydney as well as Coffs Harbour, Newcastle, Port Kembla and Eden," Commander Yannopoulos said.
"The Lord Howe Island will support the ABF maritime unit in New South Wales to deploy and respond rapidly to combat border and customs-related crimes when they are identified."
The ABF maritime unit engages in vessel boardings and patrols to monitor and combat border threats such as illicit drugs, firearm importations and wildlife smuggling.
The vessel is one of 13 new PHC vessels deployed across Australia.
Eight of the vessels, including Lord Howe Island, have been constructed in Yamba in northern NSW with the other five built in Adelaide.
