Navy’s brand new patrol vessel HMAS Arafura gets shipshape in Tassie waters

Australia’s newest naval vessel HMAS Arafura has docked in Hobart during sea trials, with crew preparing for fisheries and law enforcement operations. SEE INSIDE THE SHIP

Lieutenant Cameron Morgan, left, and Lieutenant Commander Marc Beecroft aboard the HMAS Arafura, which has docked in Hobart for a four-day port visit. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

HMAS Arafura executive officer, Lieutenant Cameron Morgan, reckons he might just have the best job in the Royal Australian Navy.

Steaming into Hobart on Tuesday aboard the recently commissioned offshore patrol vessel, Lt Morgan said the opportunity to help crew the country’s very first Arafura Class ship was the highlight of his career.

Lt. Morgan said that after sailing from its home port in Western Australia to conduct sea trials in southern waters, the brand-new Arafura would spend four days in the Tasmanian capital before beginning customs, fisheries, and law-enforcement operations in early 2026.

HMAS Arafura in Hobart for a four day port visit. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

“The ship handles really well, and the crew really enjoyed the journey,” Lt. Morgan said.

“After a lot of hard work throughout the year, we’ve been really excited to finally get to sea and start getting trials done.

“We’re making a lot of really good progress towards getting the vessel ready to be fully operational next year.”

Leading Seamen medic Claudia Harsuyker in the ships sick bay. HMAS Arafura in Hobart for a four day port visit. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Crew members cabin. HMAS Arafura in Hobart for a four day port visit. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Commanding officer of the 80m vessel, Lieutenant Commander Marc Beecroft, said it was a thrill for his crew to conduct trials at spectacular Tasmanian locations such as Port Arthur, and Great Oyster Bay on the east coast.

‘We’ve been finishing off a lot of the ship’s manoeuvring trials on this trip, to prove it is safe to operate and everything up to some quite high sea states,” Lt Comm Beecroft said.

Crews tribute to their pets at home. HMAS Arafura in Hobart for a four day port visit. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Kitchen area. HMAS Arafura in Hobart for a four day port visit. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

“The HMAS Arafura has a crew of 43, who perform a variety of roles including operating our sea boats, cooking food in the galley, or monitoring our situational awareness systems.

“As an offshore patrol vessel, we’re primarily focused on security operation operations [rather than] warfare.

“Fisheries patrols are predominantly what we’re expecting to do, in waters to the north in particular, but also down to the south which can be targeted by fishing fleets that are not Australian.

“So we’re out there to ensure vessels are transiting through legally, and if we find any illegal operations, we will take action in accordance with Australian law.”