Tenders are powered by twin 90HP outboards. Internal fuel capacity provides an adequate cruising range.Tenders are deployed and recovered by a compensated davit system which allows safe and rapid launch/recovery of tenders in a range of sea conditions.Customs vessels are also being progressively fitted with deck-mounted weapon systems to better enable them to deal with border incursions and other constabulary at sea. All vessels are being fitted with a 7.62mm general-purpose machine gun. National Marine Unit crewmembers also carry sidearms for personal protection. The eight ACVs are:
- ACV Roebuck Bay ACV Holdfast Bay ACV Botany Bay
ACV Hervey Bay ACV Corio Bay ACV Arnhem Bay
ACV Dame Roma Mitchell ACV Storm Bay
Customs vessels are deployed in response to a diverse range of taskings initiated by Customs and other Federal agencies, including:
- Australian Federal Police
- Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service
- Australian Maritime Safety Authority
- Australian Fisheries Management Authority
- Environment and Heritage
- Immigration, Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs
- Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority
- various state law enforcement agencies
ACVs operate in conduction with Customs Coastwatch and are often deployed in the joint operations involving Coastwatch aircraft and naval patrol boats. Work carried out includes:
* Intercepting foreign fishing vessels with Australia's jurisdiction
* Intercepting vessels suspected of carrying illegal immigrants, drugs and other prohibited imports.
* Search and rescue
* Investigating marine pollution
*
Assisting with the management of offshore parks and reserves.
Deploying vessels to enforce border laws in Australia's offshore region is governed by a range of risk factors. These include demographics, international marine activity and the past history of illegal activities. A flexible management approach based on the continual evaluation of the nature of the threat, client requests, operational performance, and vessel and crew location ensures the best allocation of resources.
Requests for vessel taskings are submitted three months in advance via the Customs Coastwatch Planning and Advisory sub-committee, which meets each month in Canberra. Customs tactical tasks are submitted to the National Marine Unit (NMU) through the Enforcement Operations Branch. Tactical tasks from other clients agencies are submitted to the NMU via Coastwatch.
ACV patrols have a nominal crew of ten Customs marine officers. This number can be altered, depending upon operational activity anticipated during particular patrols.Officers complete one 22 to 30 day patrol in a given six week roster. The National Marine Unit usually recruits in rounds and does not employ sea-going crew on an ad-hoc basis. If you place your name on recruitment mailing list, you will be advised when the next recruitment round is advertised.
Customs NMU officers are trained and regularly re-qualified in the law enforcement and maritime skills essential for effective operation in a challenging environment. Training includes:
- Statutory Federal and state marine qualifications
- Operational safety and defensive skills
- Occupational health and safety at sea
- Other Customs-specific training
