Patrol Boat: HMAS Advance

Due to health and safety concerns the museum's fleet of vessels will be closed from Sunday 15 March until further notice.

Commissioned in 1968, the hardworking patrol boat HMAS Advance served out of Darwin until 1977.

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In that time it helped shadow a Russian fishing boat suspected of spying, expelled illegal foreign fishing boats, weathered Cyclone Tracy in 1974, and assisted with hydrographic surveys of Australia's north-west coast. It even featured in the popular ABC-TV series Patrol Boat.

Advance was one of 20 Attack Class patrol boats built for the Royal Australian Navy between 1967 and 1969. In the 1960s, Australia became more closely involved in events in the Asia-Pacific region. This led to improved surveillance and control of our coastline, especially the northern approaches.

Patrol boats control illegal fishing, smuggling and immigration, search and rescue, and occasional in-shore survey work which is continued by the Armidale class of patrol boats today.

Explore the danger and drama of life on board Advance in Action Stations, our hi-tech immersive experience.