Tribute to Fremantle-Class Icon in Townsville

Department of Defence

On a bright North Queensland morning, the former Royal Australian Navy patrol boat HMAS Townsville II made its final journey up Ross Creek, finding a new home at the Townsville Maritime Museum.

For locals and Navy veterans, the occasion marked the celebrated return of one of only two surviving Fremantle-class patrol boats, whose service from 1981 to 2007 left an enduring legacy.

Commissioned in 1981, Townsville (FCPB 205) was among 15 Fremantle-class vessels built to patrol Australia's vast coastline.

As one of only two remaining, Townsville II stands as a significant piece of Australia's maritime story.

For 26 years, its hull patrolled Australia's waters, often working with other government agencies, mainly in Australia's northern waters, but also deployed to countries in Southeast Asia and the Pacific.

Representing Navy at the event, Commanding Officer HMAS Cairns Commander Andrew Thorpe said it was a proud moment for the Navy and Townsville.

"The ship was gifted to the community as a way to recognise the close connection between the Navy and the City of Townsville," Commander Thorpe said.

Throughout her career, Townsville's dedicated crews performed a wide range of missions: border protection, illegal fishing patrols, customs surveillance, and search and rescue.

The vessel supported the Pacific region and participated in major operations, notably Operation Morrisdance in the South-West Pacific in 1987.

Townsville gained fame beyond her duties by starring in the popular Australian TV series Patrol Boat.

The show highlighted naval life and built a lasting connection between the ship, its crew and the wider community.

Townsville's preservation is nationally significant, a link between past and present, whose story is marked by operational excellence and service to the community.

As the patrol boat takes its place at the Maritime Museum, Townsville II remains a symbol of the spirit and dedication of all who sailed in it.

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