More pages in this section
Page last updated on 21-07-2025.
HMAS Townsville
Background
HMAS Townsville is one of 15 Fremantle Class Patrol Boats (FCPBs) built and operated exclusively by the Royal Australian Navy.
Named after the city of Townsville, often visiting the port and occasionally crewed by RAN members originating from Townsville, the vessel holds special memorial, spiritual and social significance.
The vessel was commissioned in July 1981 and decommissioned in Cairns in 2007 before being gifted to the Townsville Maritime Museum by the Commonwealth Department of Defence. She is owned by the museum.
The vessel’s hull was refurbished in Cairns during 2015 and 2016 before being relocated to Townsville where it was moored at the Townsville Marine Precinct (TMP).
Public Display
Port of Townsville is partnering with the Maritime Museum of Townsville to relocate the vessel to a disused slipway on Ross Creek where she will be put on permanent public display in July 2025.
The vessel will enhance the Museum’s existing HMAS Townsville display, with an exhibit inside the Palmer Street museum detailing her rich history.
Logistics
HMAS Townsville will be moved on water under tow from the Townsville Marine Precinct to the Port of Townsville on the morning of Tuesday, 22 July 2025.
She will then make her way up the Ross Creek to her permanent resting place from 7am on Wednesday, 23 July 2025. Regulatory authorities will be assisting with the move.
Once at the slipway, she will placed on a specially fabricated cradle and winched from the water on Wednesday afternoon/evening.
Information for Boaties
Boat ramps at the Coast Guard on Sir Leslie Thiess Drive will be closed from 4pm on Tuesday, 22 July 2025 until after 8am on Wednesday, 23 July 2025 to ensure safe passage of the vessel.
Recreational vessels are asked to remain at least 100m from HMAS Townsville as she is under tow, and tune in to VHF16 when on the water.
Recreational vessels must not impede on the passage of HMAS Townsville as she proceeds from the Port to the Ross Creek slipway on Wednesday 23 July 2025.
Public Viewing
The best place to see HMAS Townsville as she makes her way up the Ross Creek is from the Breakwater Wall at the Townsville Entertainment and Convention Centre from 7am on Wednesday, 23 July 2025.
Once in place, she will be able to be viewed from numerous vantage points including from Lighthouse Park on Palmer Street, and various locations from the northern side of Ross Creek.
Road Closures
Ross Street between Palmer Street and Creek Street in South Townsville will be closed to pedestrians and traffic while winching operations are underway.
Access to Magnetic Island Ferries (car ferry) will remain open, with traffic to enter Ross Street via Creek Street off Lennon Drive.
Future Works
The HMAS Townsville relocation is part of the Port’s commitment to enhance the amenity of the Ross Creek waterfront and improve public access from Lighthouse Park on Palmer Street through to Quayside Terminal.
Following the relocation, footpath upgrades will be undertaken to improve connectivity between Quayside Terminal and Palmer Street – and a viewing platform will be installed adjacent to HMAS Townsville
Illustration concept only, subject to change.