.gif)
HMAS Cairns (naval base)
Encyclopedia
HMAS Cairns is a naval base of the Royal Australian Navy
(RAN) located in Cairns, Queensland
. Although used regularly as a port-of-call since before World War II
, a permanent RAN presence was not established until 1971, when a maintenance and support base for patrol boats was set up. This was formally commissioned in 1971 as a minor war vessel base.
HMAS Cairns is responsible for all Australian naval activity off north-eastern Australia, and is the home base for Ardent Division of the Australian Patrol Boat Group
, the ships of the Royal Australian Navy Hydrographic Service
, and several Balikpapan class landing craft.
, and during the war, Cairns was the principal port-of-call for many ships prior to heading to Pacific destinations. There was no official RAN presence in Cairns until 1971, when facilities for the maintenance of the RAN's patrol boats were established. In 1974, HMAS Cairns was commissioned as the parent establishment for patrol vessels and hydrographic ships based at Cairns.
Cairns is currently responsible for all Australian naval activity from Rockhampton
to Thursday Island and serves as the home base for Ardent Division of the Australian Patrol Boat Group
, which consists of four of the navy's fourteen Armidale class patrol boats
. The base also berths the RAN's entire hydrographic fleet, consisting of two Leeuwin class survey vessels
and four Paluma class survey motor launches
, plus four of the six Balikpapan class landing craft.
Balikpapan class
Leeuwin class
Paluma class
Royal Australian Navy
The Royal Australian Navy is the naval branch of the Australian Defence Force. Following the Federation of Australia in 1901, the ships and resources of the separate colonial navies were integrated into a national force: the Commonwealth Naval Forces...
(RAN) located in Cairns, Queensland
Queensland
Queensland is a state of Australia, occupying the north-eastern section of the mainland continent. It is bordered by the Northern Territory, South Australia and New South Wales to the west, south-west and south respectively. To the east, Queensland is bordered by the Coral Sea and Pacific Ocean...
. Although used regularly as a port-of-call since before World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, a permanent RAN presence was not established until 1971, when a maintenance and support base for patrol boats was set up. This was formally commissioned in 1971 as a minor war vessel base.
HMAS Cairns is responsible for all Australian naval activity off north-eastern Australia, and is the home base for Ardent Division of the Australian Patrol Boat Group
Australian Patrol Boat Group
The Australian Patrol Boat Group is a Force Element Group of the Royal Australian Navy. The group's mission is to provide patrol boat capability for the protection of Australia's national interests....
, the ships of the Royal Australian Navy Hydrographic Service
Royal Australian Navy Hydrographic Service
The Australian Hydrographic Service is the Australian Commonwealth Government agency responsible for providing hydrographic services that meet Australia's obligations under the SOLAS convention and the national interest; enabling safe navigation, maritime trade and supporting protection of the...
, and several Balikpapan class landing craft.
History
The RAN had been using Cairns as a regular stop since before World War IIWorld War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, and during the war, Cairns was the principal port-of-call for many ships prior to heading to Pacific destinations. There was no official RAN presence in Cairns until 1971, when facilities for the maintenance of the RAN's patrol boats were established. In 1974, HMAS Cairns was commissioned as the parent establishment for patrol vessels and hydrographic ships based at Cairns.
Cairns is currently responsible for all Australian naval activity from Rockhampton
Rockhampton
Rockhampton can refer to:* Rockhampton, Queensland is a city in Queensland, Australia* Rockhampton City, Queensland, a suburb of Rockhampton, Queensland* Electoral district of Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia...
to Thursday Island and serves as the home base for Ardent Division of the Australian Patrol Boat Group
Australian Patrol Boat Group
The Australian Patrol Boat Group is a Force Element Group of the Royal Australian Navy. The group's mission is to provide patrol boat capability for the protection of Australia's national interests....
, which consists of four of the navy's fourteen Armidale class patrol boats
Armidale class patrol boat
The Armidale class is a class of patrol boats built for the Royal Australian Navy . Planning for a class of twelve vessels to replace the fifteen Fremantle class patrol boats began in 1993 as a joint project with the Royal Malaysian Navy, but was cancelled when Malaysia pulled out of the process...
. The base also berths the RAN's entire hydrographic fleet, consisting of two Leeuwin class survey vessels
Leeuwin class survey vessel
The Leeuwin class is a class of two hydrographic survey vessels in the Royal Australian Navy, HMAS Leeuwin and HMAS Melville. Both ships were built by NQEA in Cairns, Queensland, and entered service in 2000....
and four Paluma class survey motor launches
Paluma class survey motor launch
The Paluma class survey motor launch is a class of four hydrographic survey launches operated by the Royal Australian Navy . Built in Port Adelaide between 1988 and 1990, the four catamarans are primarily based at in Cairns, Queensland, and operate in pairs to survey the waters of northern...
, plus four of the six Balikpapan class landing craft.
Ships stationed
Armidale class (Ardent Division)Balikpapan class
Leeuwin class
Paluma class