ABFC Thaiyak

History
Australia
Name	ABFC Thaiyak
Builder	Strategic Marine, Vung Tau, Vietnam
Launched	March 2014
Acquired	June 2014
Commissioned	20 June 2014
In service	23 June 2014
Identification	MMSI number: 503004590; IMO number: 9692399; Call sign: VZBD;
General characteristics
Tonnage	585 GT
Length	40 m (130 ft)
Beam	11.5 m (38 ft)
Draught	2.4 m (7.9 ft)
Propulsion	2 × Caterpillar C32 main engines, 970 kilowatts (1,300 hp)
Speed	12 knots (22 km/h)
Range	2,750 nautical miles (5,090 km; 3,160 mi) at 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph)
Endurance	120 days
Complement	13 crew plus 4 special operations personnel and 24 passengers.
Notes	Carries 2 × 7.7 m (25 ft) NORSAFE 750 rigid hull inflatable boats

The ABFC Thaiyak (pronounced “tie-yak”) is a patrol vessel used by the Customs Marine Unit of the Australian Border Force, primarily stationed at the Ashmore and Cartier Islands and is also known as the Long Term Ashmore Capability (LTAC) vessel. Its name, meaning spear, is based on suggestions from Torres Strait Islander crew members who had consulted with their elders.[1]

Construction

In 2013 Strategic Marine was awarded the contract to build the 40-metre on-station Long Term Ashmore Capability (LTAC) vessel for Gardline Australia Pty Ltd on behalf of the Government of Australia. The vessel was designed by MMD Naval Architects[2] to provide border protection services in Australia's northern waters therefore to be reliable and flexibly self-sufficient for longterm deployment in tropical regions. The vessel employs a steel hull with aluminium superstructure.

It has medical facilities for first aid along with an isolation facility.

Austere accommodation is provided for up to 24 transportees. In addition, sheltered deck space allows for a short term holding capability for 25 additional passengers.

The vessel was constructed at the Strategic Marine shipyards in Vung Tau, Vietnam and was launched in March 2014.[3]

Operational history

The Minister for Immigration and Border Protection, Scott Morrison, attended a naming ceremony for the vessel at Victoria Quay in Fremantle Harbour on 20 June 2014.[4] He said Thaiyak would significantly improve Australia's capability in the detection and response to maritime threats in Australia's northern waters.

The vessel is not armed but carries small arms consisting of Glock pistols for Australian Border Force boarding party officers along with other personal defence equipment on board.

References

"Australian Border Force Cutter (ABFC) Thaiyak". Archived from the original on 1 April 2018. Retrieved 1 April 2018.
"McAlpine Marine design Pty Ltd - 40m Long Term Support Vessel".
"Strategic Marine's LTAC "Thaiyak" is Launched!".
"New Customs vessel naming ceremony at Fremantle".

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[1] "Australian Border Force Cutter (ABFC) Thaiyak". Archived from the original on 1 April 2018. Retrieved 1 April 2018.

[2] "McAlpine Marine design Pty Ltd - 40m Long Term Support Vessel".

[3] "Strategic Marine's LTAC "Thaiyak" is Launched!".

[4] "New Customs vessel naming ceremony at Fremantle".