HMAS Broome visits its namesake town for the final time before decommissioning

HMAS Broome (II) has visited the town of its namesake for the last time with navy personnel disembarking and engaging with the community before the ship sails to Darwin for decommissioning later this month. The Armidale-Class Patrol Boat is the second Royal Australian Navy vessel to be named after the Kimberley town and is set to officially decommission on August 29. Launched in February 2007, it visited Broome the following May when the Shire granted Freedom of Entry to its company, which proudly marched through the town. Some 15 years later, the boat’s made its final visit to Broome with the crew lapping up the Broome sunshine and engaging with local kids. Four crew members including the HMAS Broome Commanding Officer Lieutenant Commander Christopher Wardle visited The Skill Engineer program and spoke to students about employment opportunities with the navy. On Friday evening, August 2, a dozen seamen joined the PCYC Roller Disco held in conjunction with the Shire’s A Sporting Chance youth diversionary program. The sailors helped children find their feet on the skates, while also needing a little help themselves with their smiles showing their elation with the experience. Lieutenant Commander Wardle said it was a privilege to engage with both programs and to continue the bond between HMAS Broome and the Broome community before sailing away on Sunday, August 4. During its service HMAS Broome carried out border protection duties in Australia’s northern waters. In 2008 it took a little time out to be a TV star as one of two patrol boats to be used as the fictional HMAS Hammersley in series two on the popular Channel 9 drama Sea Patrol.