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ABFC Ocean Shield

The Australian Border Force Cutter (ABFC) Ocean Shield is the largest ship in the Australian Border Force fleet. ADV Ocean Protector is the sister ship of the large-hulled Australian Border Force Cutter (ABFC) Ocean Shield, and forms part of an enhanced fleet of vessels tasked with maintaining the security of Australian waters. While the two ships are not identical [Ocean Shield is blue and Ocean Protector is red], they are of similar designs and perform the same operational tasks.

On 03 June 2012 Minister for Defence Stephen Smith and Minister for Defence Materiel Jason Clare announced that the Australian Defence Force has now officially taken ownership of its new humanitarian and disaster relief vessel, the Skandi Bergen, which will be re-named Australian Defence Vessel Ocean Shield (ADV Ocean Shield). The ship made its way from Norway and is expected to arrive in Australia in July. It will be available to the Royal Australian Navy for tasking upon its arrival.

On 19 March 2012 the Government announced it had purchased the Offshore Support Vessel to add to the Royal Australian Navy’s current amphibious ships, HMAS Choules and HMAS Tobruk. The 6,500 tonne ship is 105 metres long and 21 metres wide. It has accommodation for up to 100 people, more than 1000 metres of deck area, and a helipad.

Defence took ownership of the vessel after extensive sea trials oversighted by international shipping firm Teekay Shipping. The purchase of this vessel ensured that Defence had the humanitarian and disaster relief capability required between now and the arrival of the two new Landing Helicopter Dock (LHD) ships in the middle of the decade. It was primarily be used to transport troops and supplies in support of humanitarian and disaster relief operations domestically and in the region.

After Defence introduces the first LHD into service, the vessel will be transferred to Customs and Border Protection to provide a long term capability for Customs and Border Protection. It will be able to undertake patrols in the Southern Ocean providing surveillance, detection and apprehension of any vessels operating illegally. The vessel is able to operate in sub-Antarctic weather conditions.

ABFC Ocean Shield is a multi-role ship that can respond to a wide range of civil maritime security threats. It is available for operations 300 days of the year. The ABFC Ocean Shield patrols in northern waters and the Southern Ocean. Southern Ocean patrols are part of the commitment to intercepting vessels and apprehending people suspected of illegally fishing in the ecologically fragile sub-Antarctic waters.

The ship was constructed as an Offshore Support Vessel by STK OSV, Tulcea, Romania and was later inducted as ABFC 'Ocean Shield', an Offshore Patrol Vessel on June 30, 2012. The ship has 110.9 mtr LOA with 22.05 mtr beam width. The ship achieves maximum speed of 16 kts with a displacement of 8,500 tons and draws 6.6 meter draught. A medium size helipad is available atop the bow of the ship. The ship also has 1,000 sq mtrs deck area for cargo and equipment. The ship has 16 Officers and 36 sailors.

Following the disappearance of Malaysia Airlines Flight 370, 'Ocean Shield' was one of the several Australian Vessels that took part in the extensive search of the ill-fated MH 370.

Indian Coast Guard organized a warm welcome ceremony to ABFC 'Ocean Shield' in the traditional way on her arrival at Chennai port in May 2017. During the welcome ceremony, ABF Commissioner Roman Quaedvlieg interacted with the Indian media personnel. As part of the official programme, ICG headed by ADG VSR Murthy and ABF headed by Commissioner Roman Quaedvlieg held deliberations for mutual cooperation on various issues concerning co-operation on SAR, mutual sharing of information on maritime challenges and joint efforts.

During the period of stay, the Commanding officer of the ship called on the Coast Guard Regional Commander, Inspector General Rajan Bargotra and other important dignitaries in Chennai. As part of cross training and exposure, Australian team was briefed about the functions of Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre and Remote Operation Station at Chennai which was reciprocated by visit of ICG crew onboard ABFC Ocean Shield. A friendly volleyball match between Indian Coast Guard and Australian Border Force was also organized on May 19, 2017.

Australian Ship while departing from Chennai port carried out coordinated exercise with ICG Ship.

The southern patrol vessel, ACV Ocean Protector is a multirole vessel capable of conducting year–round patrols of the sub–Antarctic. The ship is 105 metres in length and displaces 8,500 tonnes. The Australian Defence Vessel Ocean Protector is a multi-role ship that can respond to a wide range of maritime security threats. ADV Ocean Protector is operated by the ADF with enforcement operations provided by the ABF. ADV Ocean Protector undertakes patrols in northern waters and is capable of patrols in the Southern Ocean.

STX Marine supported SEAFORCE and their ship manager Teekay Shipping (Australia) in the conversion of DOF’s offshore ROV vessel “Skandi Bergen” to her new role as a Customs and Border Protection Service patrol vessel for Australian waters. STXM was in a unique position to provide support for this project, having participated in the initial design, with sister firm STX Norway Offshore Design (then Aker Yards Projects). The project involved designing a new deckhouse module, fitted on the aft deck, to house accommodation for additional persons, potential illegal immigrants, and illegal fishermen detained during the course of CBP’s duties. The deckhouse also provides a Medical Centre and changing facilities for the CBP personnel prior to boarding two of the newly fitted Customs Rescue Tenders (CRT’s). In addition to the deckhouse and CRT davits, STXM detailed modifications to allow the installation of a net winch (including a new transom door), a towing bracket, and facilities for securing containers to the deck. Raised walkways were also designed to provide access to the new CRTs and the existing rescue boat. Internally, the ship was modified to provide gym facilities for the CBP crew, and the recreation facilities were expanded. The heli reception and wheelhouse were reconfigured to suit CBP requirements. The modification was carried out by Forgacs Engineering dockyard in Newcastle, Australia. DOF removed the ship’s ROV equipment prior to the vessel leaving for Australia. The vessel’s moonpools were sealed shut at this time. In January 2016, the Australian government acquired the ADV Ocean Protector to provide further capability to safeguard the security of the county’s extensive maritime borders. It is a unique vessel, owned and operated by the Australian Defence Force (ADF), and utilising highly trained Australian Border Force (ABF) Maritime Enforcement Officers. The ABF’s mission to protect Australia’s maritime domain had been significantly boosted by the entry to service of the Ocean Protector. This vessel significantly increases our reach and capability in the region. The ship was laid down at the Aker Yards ASA in Tulcea, Romania on 25 August 2006 as a ROV support vessel for Norwegian shipping company DOF Subsea. Based on the Aker ROV 06 DE design, it was named Geo Bergen during construction and launched on 28 January 2007. The ship was renamed to Skandi Bergen on 19 July 2007 prior to its completion on 3 August 2007. In mid-2010, the Australian government chartered the ship for the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service, as a replacement for MV Oceanic Viking.

Ocean Protector previously served Australia as the Australian Customs Vessel (ACV) Ocean Protector from 2010 to 2014, conducting maritime border security patrols throughout Australia’s maritime domain from Christmas Island to the Southern Ocean. The ship was originally built during 2006 and 2007 as an offshore support vessel for Norwegian company DOF ASA. In 2010, it was chartered by the Australian Government, as a replacement for the Customs vessel MV Oceanic Viking. ACV Ocean Protector operated with Customs until her charter was terminated and she was replaced by Ocean Shield in 2014. She was renamed Skandi Protector and tasked to support subsea projects in the Asia Pacific. In October 2015, DOF ASA announced the sale of the ship to the Australian government.

During its 2010-2014 Australian stint, the ship was chartered to Customs through DMAA Seaforce. Modifications for Customs service were made by Forgacs Engineering in Newcastle, NSW. The ship’s specifications included a length of 105.9 metres, beam of 21 metres and displacement tonnage of 8,500. At that time, Ocean Predator’s range was 9,200 nautical miles at 16 knots with 10 percent reserve, and 23,000 nautical miles at 14 knots with 10 percent reserve. It carried two 8.5 metre Norsafe SOLAS-approved Customs and Border Protection Response Tenders (CRT) powered by twin 233hp diesel jet propulsion, with a range of approximately 60 nautical miles at 20 knots. Weapons and Personal Defence Equipment (PDE) carried onboard included two deck mounted .50 calibre machine guns deck mounted, Glock pistols for Customs and Border Protection boarding party members, and other PDE equipment.

Customs and Border Protection has led an assessment of the response to the maritime incident on 25 March 2013 where ACV Ocean Protector rendered assistance to an asylum seeker vessel which capsized north of Christmas Island in the course of being boarded. Of the 96 people recovered, including tragically two deceased, seven people required medical attention. The primary purpose of the assessment was to determine whether correct operational procedures and processes were followed and to ascertain any potential areas for improvement in those procedures. The assessment noted minor refinements to boarding practices and procedures, tools to assist reviewing capability during emergency situations and providing ongoing support to personnel involved in critical incidents.