Australian Border Force Cutter (ABFC)

The Marine Unit, formerly the Australian Customs Service National Marine Unit, is a division of the Australian Border Force which acts as a Coast Guard in guarding Australia's coast. The Marine Unit focuses on surveillance and response activities within the Australian Economic Exclusion Zone (EEZ), and the operation and training of ships and crews to do so.

Operations

The CMU and the Border Protection Division (formerly known as Coastwatch) make up the Customs contribution to Maritime Border Command, a joint command with the Australian Defence Force and incorporating assets from the Australian Fisheries Management Authority, the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service, and state-level agencies. Maritime Border Command is responsible for protecting Australia's maritime areas, offshore assets, and external territories from threats, including the exploitation of natural resources, people smuggling, importation or exportation of drugs and other illegal items, piracy, and terrorism.

Facilities

Australian Border Force maintains a permanent base of operations for the Marine Unit at the Port Darwin East Arm Wharf.

Ships

Ships operated by the CMU were referred to as Australian Customs Vessels (ACVs) until the creation of the Australian Border Force in 2015 when the prefix of vessels operated by the CMU was changed to Australian Border Force Cutter (ABFC).

Current Ships

The largest ship in the Australian Border Force fleet is the offshore patrol vessel ABFC ''Ocean Shield'', which entered service in June 2012 and is a sister ship to ADV ''Ocean Protector''. ABFC ''Thaiyak'' is a unique vessel delivered in June 2014 intended to replace the ACV ''Ashmore Guardian'' for use around the Ashmore and Cartier Islands. In addition, charter arrangements give Customs access to an additional twenty vessels of various sizes and types; these are called on when required to transport apprehended foreign fishermen and illegal entrants, or tow captured vessels.

Small Boats

In 2017 Australian Border Force signed contracts to acquire 13 new Habour and Costal Patrol boats. These vessels are stationed around the country and are used for a variety of operations including costal patrol, survillence and drug interdiction.

File:Rottnest Island, Fremantle, 2021 (03).jpg, ABF Boat Rottnest Island, Fremantle
File:Pilbara Coast, Fremantle, 2020 (01).jpg, An ABF harbour patrol vessel, Pilbara Coast, Fremantle, 2020
File:Australian Border Force rigid hulled inflatable boat Rottnest Island near Kwinana Bulk Terminal, August 2021 06.jpg, Australian Border Force rigid-hulled inflatable boat Rottnest Island near Kwinana Bulk Terminal, August 2021

Future Ships

The Royal Australian Navy has procured 6 Evolved Cape-class patrol vessels to act as a stopgap