View source for Marine Unit (Australian Border Force)

{{Short description|Division of the Australian Border Force which acts as a Coast Guard}}
{{Infobox law enforcement unit
| unit_name = ABF Marine Unit
| native_name = 
| native_namea =
| native_namer =
| image = Australian Border Force Flag.svg
| image_size =
| alt =
| caption = ABF flag
| dates = {{Start_date|2015}} – present
| country = Australia
| agency = [[Australian Border Force]]
| type = [[Coast guard]]
| role = {{Plainlist}}
* [[Law enforcement]]
* [[Customs]]
* [[Coast guard]]
* [[Maritime safety]]
* Fisheries
{{Endplainlist}}
| command_structure = [[Maritime Border Command (Australia)|Maritime Border Command]]
| headquarters = [[Canberra]], [[Australia]].
| coordinates =
| motto = 
| motto_translated = 
| common_name = 
| abbreviation = ABF MU
<!-- Structure -->
| sworn_type_label = 
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| stations =
<!-- Commanders -->
| current_commander = Commander Claire Rees (Acting)<ref>{{cite web |title=ABF Organisational Chart |url=https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/about-us-subsite/files/abf-org-structure.pdf |access-date=24 October 2022}}</ref>
<!-- Notables --> 
| programs = <!-- or | programmes = -->
| significant_operations = 
| anniversaries =
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<!-- Equipment -->
| vehicles = 
| boats = 12 major ships <br/>
13 patrol boats
| aircraft = 
| animals = 
<!--Website --> 
| website = https://www.abf.gov.au/about-us/what-we-do/border-protection/maritime
}}

The '''Marine Unit''', formerly the '''Australian Customs Service National Marine Unit''', is a division of the [[Australian Border Force]] which acts as a Coast Guard in guarding Australia's coast. The Marine Unit focuses on surveillance and response activities within the Australian [[Economic Exclusion Zone]], and the operation and training of ships and crews to do so.

==Operations==
[[File:Semi_submersible_drilling_rig,_Stena_Clyde,_and_Australian_Customs,_Cape_St_George,_on_Darwin_Harbour.jpg|thumb|250px|right|[[ABFC Cape St. George|ABFC ''Cape St. George'']] patrolling an offshore oil platform]]
The CMU and the Border Protection Division (formerly known as [[Coastwatch]]) make up the Customs contribution to [[Maritime Border Command]], a joint [[command (military formation)|command]] with the [[Australian Defence Force]] and incorporating assets from the [[Australian Fisheries Management Authority]], the [[Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service]], and state-level agencies. Maritime Border Command is responsible for protecting Australia's maritime areas, offshore assets, and external territories from threats, including the [[exploitation of natural resources]], people smuggling, importation or exportation of drugs and other illegal items, piracy, and terrorism.

==Facilities==
The [[Australian Border Force]] maintains a permanent base of operations for the Marine Unit at the [[Port Darwin]] East Arm Wharf.<ref>{{cite web |last1=VANOVAC |first1=NEDA |title='No port security fear': Border Force head |url=https://www.ntnews.com.au/news/northern-territory/no-port-security-fear-border-force-head/news-story/9900ab6f4995d3ee622e3d2ad629d329 |website=NT News |access-date=25 October 2022}}</ref>

==Ships==
Ships operated by the CMU have been given the prefix '''Australian Border Force Cutter'''<!--redirect target--> ('''ABFC''') since the creation of the [[Australian Border Force]]. Ships were previously referred to as Australian Customs Vessels (ACVs).

===Current ships===
The largest ship in the [[Australian Border Force]] fleet is the {{convert|110.9|m|ft|adj=on}} offshore patrol vessel [[ABFC Ocean Shield|ABFC ''Ocean Shield'']], which entered service in June 2012 and is a sister ship to ADV ''Ocean Protector''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.naval-technology.com/projects/australian-defence-vessel-adv-ocean-shield/ |accessdate=13 September 2019 |title=Australian Defence Vessel (ADV) Ocean Shield - Naval Technology}}</ref> [[ABFC Thaiyak|ABFC ''Thaiyak'']] is a unique {{convert|40|m|ft|adj=on}} vessel delivered in June 2014<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.marinelink.com/news/strategic-delivers371692 |title=Strategic Marine Delivers MV Thaiyak}}</ref> intended to replace the ACV ''Ashmore Guardian'' for use around the [[Ashmore and Cartier Islands]]. In addition, charter arrangements give Customs access to an additional twenty vessels of various sizes and types; these are called on when required to transport apprehended foreign fishermen and illegal entrants, or tow captured vessels. The Australian Border Force announced life extension work for two remaining [[Bay-class patrol boat]]s and mid-life cycle works for the [[Cape-class patrol boat]]s.<ref name="BayClass2024" />

{| class="toccolours" style="width: 100%; font-size:95%;"
|- style="background:#ccc;"
! colspan="6"  style="background:lavender" | Current fleet<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.abf.gov.au/about-us/what-we-do/border-protection/maritime/patrol-vessels|publisher=Australian Border Force|accessdate=1 September 2021 |title=Patrol vessels}}</ref>
|-
!Image !! Class !! Name !! Type !! Entered service !! Details
|--style="background:white
| [[File:ABFC_Ocean_Shield_at_the_Australian_Marine_Complex,_Henderson,_September_2020_01.jpg|150px|centre|ABFC ''Ocean Shield'', ''Ocean Shield'']] || N/A || [[ABFC Ocean Shield|''Ocean Shield'']] || Sealift, offshore patrol || 2012 || Previously operated by [[Royal Australian Navy]].
|-
|--
|  || N/A || [[ABFC Thaiyak|''Thaiyak'']] || Long term Ashmore capability (LTAC) || 2014 || Primarily stationed at  the [[Ashmore and Cartier Islands]].
|-
|--style="background:white
| [[File:Cape_St_George,_on_Darwin_Harbour.jpg|150px|centre|ABFC ''Cape St. George'', ''Cape St. George'']] || [[Cape-class patrol boat]] || [[ABFC Cape St. George|''Cape St. George'']] || Offshore patrol || 2013 || 
|-
|--
|  || [[Cape-class patrol boat]] || [[ABFC Cape Byron|''Cape Byron'']] || Offshore patrol || 2014 || 
|-
|--style="background:white
|  || [[Cape-class patrol boat]] || [[ABFC Cape Nelson|''Cape Nelson'']] || Offshore patrol || 2014 || 
|-
|-
|--
| [[File:HMPNGS_Ted_Diro_(P401),_Cape_Sorell,_Henderson,_2018_(01).jpg|150px|centre|ABFC ''Cape Sorell'', ''Cape Sorell'']] || [[Cape-class patrol boat]] || [[ABFC Cape Sorell|''Cape Sorell'']] || Offshore patrol || 2014 || 
|-
|-
|--style="background:white
|  || [[Cape-class patrol boat]] || [[ABFC Cape Jervis|''Cape Jervis'']] || Offshore patrol || 2015 || 
|-
|-
|--
|  || [[Cape-class patrol boat]] || [[ABFC Cape Leveque|''Cape Leveque'']] || Offshore patrol || 2015 || 
|-
|-
|--style="background:white
|  || [[Cape-class patrol boat]] || [[ABFC Cape Wessel|''Cape Wessel'']] || Offshore patrol || 2015 || 
|-
|-
|--
| [[File:Cape_York_patrol_boat_at_Austal_shipyards_in_Henderson,_Western_Australia,_August_2021_01.jpg|150px|centre|ABFC ''Cape York'', ''Cape York'']] || [[Cape-class patrol boat]] || [[ABFC Cape York|''Cape York'']] || Offshore patrol || 2015 || 
|-
|-
|--style="background:white
| [[File:Darwin's Stokes Hill Wharf January 2010.jpg|150px|centre|Then ACV Roebuck Bay (10) alongside ACV Dame Roma Mitchell (70)]] || [[Bay-class patrol boat]] || ''Roebuck Bay'' || Offshore patrol || 2000 || Undergoing life extension work in 2024.<ref name="BayClass2024">{{cite web |title=Border Force progressing fleet upgrades - Australian Defence Magazine |url=https://www.australiandefence.com.au/news/news/border-force-progressing-fleet-upgrades |website=www.australiandefence.com.au |access-date=28 January 2024 |language=en}}</ref>
|-
|-
|--
| [[File:ACV Storm Bay.jpg|150px|centre|Then ACV Storm Bay]] || [[Bay-class patrol boat]] || ''Storm Bay'' || Offshore patrol || 2000 || Undergoing life extension work in 2024.<ref name="BayClass2024" />
|-
|}

=== Small boats===
In 2017 [[Australian Border Force]] signed contracts to acquire 13 new harbour and coastal patrol boats.<ref>{{cite web |title=New fleet of ABF Port and Coastal Vessels on the way |url=https://minister.homeaffairs.gov.au/peterdutton/Pages/New-fleet-of-ABF-Port-and-Coastal-Vessels-on-the-way.aspx |access-date=25 October 2022}}</ref> These vessels are stationed around the country and are used for a variety of operations including coastal patrol, surveillance and [[War on drugs|drug interdiction]].<ref>{{cite web |title=ABF launch new patrol boat in Melbourne to crackdown on drug smugglers |url=https://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/law-order/abf-launch-new-patrol-boat-in-melbourne-to-crackdown-on-drug-smugglers/news-story/54c31da101ec9a89b3954da0fab81adb |website=Herald Sun |access-date=25 October 2022}}</ref>

<gallery class="center" widths="240px" heights="180px" style="text-align:center">
File:Rottnest Island, Fremantle, 2021 (03).jpg|ABF boat ''Rottnest Island'', Fremantle
File:Pilbara Coast, Fremantle, 2020 (01).jpg|An ABF harbour patrol vessel, ''Pilbara Coast'', Fremantle, 2020
File:Australian Border Force rigid hulled inflatable boat Rottnest Island near Kwinana Bulk Terminal, August 2021 06.jpg|Australian Border Force rigid-hulled inflatable boat ''Rottnest Island'' near Kwinana Bulk Terminal, August 2021
</gallery>

===Future ships===
The [[Royal Australian Navy]] (RAN) has procured 6 [[Cape-class patrol boat|Evolved Cape-class patrol vessels]] to act as a [[stopgap]] replacement for the [[Armidale-class patrol boat|''Armidale''-class patrol boat]] as they await the completion of the [[Arafura-class offshore patrol vessel|''Arafura''-class]] of patrol vessels.<ref>{{cite news |title=Evolved Cape-Class Patrol Boats, Australia |url=https://www.naval-technology.com/projects/evolved-cape-class-patrol-boats-australia/ |website=Naval Technology |access-date=25 October 2022}}</ref> It remains unclear if these Evolved Cape-class patrol vessels will be transferred to the [[Australian Border Force]] once all ''Arafura''-class vessels have been commissioned into RAN service.
[[File:Australian Customs Vessel ACV30 Botany Bay returns to Stokes Hill Wharf (2).jpg|thumb|Former [[Bay-class patrol boat|Bay class]] Australian Customs Vessel ''Botany Bay'' (ACV30) returns to Stokes Hill Wharf, [[Darwin, Australia]]]]

The Defence Strategic Review due in 2023 is reportedly considering removing the ''Arafura''-class from [[Royal Australian Navy]] service and transferring them to the Australian Border Force Marine Unit, this is being considered as the ''Arafura''-class lacks the capabilities required in high-end warfighting.<ref name="DSR 2023 RAN">{{cite web |last1=Felton |first1=Benjamin |title=What does Australia's Strategic Review hold for the RAN? |url=https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2022/12/what-does-australias-strategic-review-hold-for-the-ran/ |website=Naval News |access-date=9 January 2023 |date=20 December 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Greene |first1=Andrew |title='97 years late': Expensive problems on major defence projects concern federal government |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-10-09/offshore-patrol-vessels-program-delay-costs-mount/101517060 |website=ABC News |access-date=9 January 2023 |language=en-AU |date=9 October 2022}}</ref> Under that plan, the RAN would instead acquire a fleet of [[Australian general purpose frigate program|general purpose frigates]].

===Former ships===
*6 {{sclass2|Bay|patrol boat}}s. 4 Bay-class patrol boats have been gifted to the [[Sri Lankan Navy]] and [[Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.austal.com/news/first-two-bay-class-patrol-boats-gifted-malaysian-maritime-enforcement-agency|title=First of Two Bay Class Patrol Boats Gifted to Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency|date=26 March 2015}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://newsroom.abf.gov.au/releases/-bay-class-gifting-flag-transfer-ceremony|title=Bay Class Gifting – Flag Transfer Ceremony - Australian Border Force Newsroom}}</ref>
*[[RV Triton|ACV ''Triton'']]
*[[ACV Ashmore Guardian|ACV ''Ashmore Guardian'']]
*[[MV Oceanic Viking|MV ''Oceanic Viking'']]

==References==
{{reflist}}

*{{cite news|url=http://www.securityaccess.com.au/4EEF584C-7E56-11DF-94E8005056B05D57 |title=Govt to buy new border patrol vessels |date=23 June 2010 |work=Australian Security Magazine |accessdate=16 July 2010 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110304120045/http://www.securityaccess.com.au/4EEF584C-7E56-11DF-94E8005056B05D57 |archivedate=4 March 2011 }}
*{{cite news|url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/nation/navy-and-customs-vessels-cut-back-on-border-patrols/story-e6frg6nf-1225896769358 |title=Navy and Customs vessels cut back on border patrols |last=Parnell |first=Sean |date=26 July 2010|work=The Australian |accessdate=5 November 2010}}

==External links==
* [https://www.abf.gov.au/about-us/what-we-do/border-protection/maritime/patrol-vessels ABF Maritime Border Command Patrol vessels]

{{Law enforcement in Australia}}
{{Border guards}}
{{Customs services}}
{{Coast guards}}

[[Category:Marine Unit (Australian Border Force)| ]]
[[Category:Customs services]]