{{Short description|Offshore patrol vessel operated by the Australian Border Force}} {{Use dmy dates|date=October 2017}} {{Use Australian English|date=March 2018}} {{Infobox ship |display_title=ABFC ''Ocean Shield'' |section1={{Infobox ship/image |image=ADV Ocean Shield.jpg |image_caption=''Ocean Shield'' during International Fleet Review 2013 }}
|section2={{Infobox ship/career |country=Australia |flag=70px |name=''Ocean Shield'' |namesake= |owner=Australian Border Force |operator=Australian Border Force |registry= |route= |ordered=10 December 2010 |awarded= |builder=STX OSV, Tulcea, Romania, Outfitting=STX OSV, Søvik, Norway, |original_cost= |yard_number=771 |way_number= |laid_down=11 April 2011 |launched=22 October 2011 |sponsor= |christened= |completed=22 May 2012 |acquired=19 March 2012 |commissioned= |recommissioned= |decommissioned= |maiden_voyage= |in_service=30 June 2012 |out_of_service= |renamed= |reclassified= |refit= |struck= |reinstated= |homeport=Sydney, {{flag|Australia|customsl}} |identification=*{{MMSI Number|503728000}} *{{IMO Number|9628374}} *Call sign: VHEH *{{ICS|Victor}}{{ICS|Hotel}}{{ICS|Echo}}{{ICS|Hotel}} |motto= |nickname= |honours= |status=In service |fate= |notes= |badge= }}
|section3={{Infobox ship/career |hide_header= |country= |flag= |name=*2010–2012: ''Skandi Bergen'' |owner= 2010–2012: DOF Subsea Rederi AS |operator=2010–2012: DOF Management AS |namesake= |homeport=*2010–2012: Nassau, {{flag|Bahamas|civil}} |identification = |acquired= |commissioned= |decommissioned= |in_service= |out_of_service= |struck= |reinstated= |honours= |fate= |status= |notes= }}
|section4={{Infobox ship/characteristics |hide_header= |header_caption= |class= |type=Offshore Subsea Construction and Maintenance Vessel |tonnage=8,368 gross tons |displacement=8,500 tonnes (full load) |length={{convert|110.9|m|ft|abbr=on}} length overall |beam={{convert|22.05|m|ft|abbr=on}} |draught={{convert|6.6|m|ft|abbr=on}} |depth={{convert|9|m|ft|abbr=on}} |ice_class=DNV ICE-1B |power=4 × Wärtsilä 6L32, {{convert|2880|kW|adj=on}} each |propulsion=*Diesel-electric; Two Rolls-Royce Contaz 35 azimuth thrusters (2{{nbsp}}×{{nbsp}}3,000{{nbsp}}kW) *Two bow thrusters (2{{nbsp}}×{{nbsp}}1,800{{nbsp}}kW) *One retractable azimuth thruster in bow (1,500{{nbsp}}kW){{convert|1500|kW|adj=on}} bow azimuth thruster |speed={{convert|16|kn}} |range= |endurance= |boats= |capacity=120 |troops= |complement= |crew=22 + 50 |sensors= |EW= |armament=*Unarmed (RAN) *2 x 12.7 mm machine guns (Customs) |aircraft_facilities=Helipad |notes= }} }} '''Australian Border Force Cutter ''Ocean Shield''''' ('''ABFC ''Ocean Shield''''') is an offshore patrol vessel operated by the Australian Border Force. The ship was originally ordered in 2010 by DOF Subsea as an offshore support vessel, and was laid down by STX OSV as '''MSV ''Skandi Bergen''''' in 2011. In 2012, the Australian Department of Defence was seeking a short-term replacement for the decommissioned ''Kanimbla''-class amphibious landing ships, and negotiated to purchase the under-construction ''Skandi Bergen'' from DOF Subsea. The ship was completed, and entered Royal Australian Navy (RAN) service in mid-2012 as the civilian-crewed '''Australian Defence Vessel (ADV) ''Ocean Shield'''''.
Following the disappearance of Malaysia Airlines Flight 370, ''Ocean Shield'' was one of several Australian vessels to take part in the search.
''Ocean Shield''{{'}}s operation was only intended to cover the shortfall in RAN sealift capability until the ''Canberra''-class landing helicopter dock ships entered service, and in 2014, the vessel was handed over to the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service (the precursor agency to the Border Force), with the ship's designation changing to '''Australian Customs Vessel (ACV) ''Ocean Shield'''''. The restructuring of Customs to create the Border Force occurred in mid-2015, with ''Ocean Shield''{{'}}s prefix changing from ACV to ABFC.
==Construction and acquisition== The offshore construction vessel was ordered on 10 December 2010 by DOF Subsea, from STX OSV.<ref name="dnv">{{csr|register=DNV|id=31470|shipname=Ocean Shield|accessdate=4 May 2014}}</ref><ref name=MarineLog>MarineLog, ''DOF Subsea orders OSCV to replace newbuild sold to Australia''</ref> The ship, based on the STX OSCV 11 design and to be named ''Skandi Bergen'', was laid down at STX OSV's shipyard in Tulcea, Romania on 11 April 2011 with yard number 771, and launched on 22 October 2011.<ref name="dnv" />
She has a displacement of 8,500 tonnes and a tonnage value of 8,368 gross tons, a length overall of {{convert|110.9|m}}, a beam of {{convert|22.05|m}}, a depth of {{convert|9|m}}, and a draught of {{convert|6.6|m}}.<ref name="dnv" /><ref name=SaundersPhilpott39/> The propulsion system consists of two Rolls-Royce Contaz 35 {{convert|3000|kW|adj=on}} azimuth thrusters at the stern, two {{convert|1800|kW|adj=on}} tunnel thrusters at the bow, plus a {{convert|1500|kW|adj=on}}, retractable azimuth thruster, also near the bow.<ref name="dnv" /><ref name=RAN>Royal Australian Navy, ''ADV Ocean Shield''</ref> Maximum speed is {{convert|16|kn}}.<ref name=RAN/> Power is generated by four Wärtsilä 6L32 {{convert|2880|kW|adj=on}} medium speed diesel generators.<ref name="dnv" /><ref name=RAN/> The ship has a complement of 22, plus accommodation for another 50 crew, and basic facilities to carry a further 120.<ref name=SaundersPhilpott39/> A helipad suitable for up to medium-size helicopters is sited at the ship's bow, above the bridge.<ref name=RAN/> She also has {{convert|1000|sqm}} of deck area for cargo and equipment.<ref name=NNnewshield/>
On 19 March 2012, the Australian government announced the purchase of ''Skandi Bergen'' in a group of Defence acquisitions.<ref name=Ellery/> The vessel was required to supplement the RAN's sealift capability of the RAN after the ''Kanimbla''-class amphibious landing ships were decommissioned early due to ongoing mechanical issues.<ref name=MfDMfDM/><ref name=Ellery/> Intended operations included the transportation of equipment and personnel as part of humanitarian and disaster relief operations.<ref name=MfDMfDM/> The ship cost A$130 million: the price did not include the vessel's subsea equipment.<ref name=MarineLog/><ref name=Ellery/> This equipment was retained by the shipyard for installation in a replacement vessel ordered by DOF Subsea, with a 60-tonne SWL crane fitted instead to ''Skandi Bergen''.<ref name=MarineLog/><ref name=Ellery/><ref name=NNnewshield>Navy News, ''New Shield has arrived''</ref> Fitting out was completed on 22 May 2012, and on 3 June 2012, the ship's new name, ''Ocean Shield'', was announced.<ref name="dnv" /><ref name=MfDMfDM/> Although operated as part of the RAN, ''Ocean Shield'' carried a civilian crew, and used the prefix ADV (Australian Defence Vessel), instead of being commissioned and receiving the HMAS prefix.<ref name=MfDMfDM>Offices of the Minister for Defence and Minister for Defence Materiel, ''Ocean Shield the Navy's newest humanitarian and disaster relief vessel''</ref><ref name=Ellery/> Although unarmed in RAN service, after the transfer to Customs, the ship was fitted with two 12.7 mm machine guns.<ref name=RAN/><ref name=SaundersPhilpott39/>
==Operational history== Sea trials were overseen by Teekay Shipping.<ref name=NNnewshield/> ''Ocean Shield'' arrived in Fremantle, Australia on 28 June 2012, and was accepted into naval service on 30 June.<ref name=NNnewshield/><ref name=RAN/>
In October 2013, the ship participated in the International Fleet Review 2013 in Sydney.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.navy.gov.au/ifr/participants/warships |title=Participating Warships |year=2013 |work=International Fleet Review 2013 website |publisher=Royal Australian Navy |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131210092404/http://www.navy.gov.au/ifr/participants/warships |archive-date=10 December 2013 |access-date=14 December 2015 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
[[File:Ocean Shield deploys the Bluefin 21 underwater vehicle.jpg|thumb|left|''Ocean Shield'' deploying Bluefin-21 during the search for the missing Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 in April 2014.]] In March 2014, ''Ocean Shield'' was sent to participate in the search for the missing Malaysia Airlines Flight 370, off the west coast of Australia.<ref>BBC, ''Malaysia Airways MH370: Relatives in Beijing clashes''</ref> The vessel, fitted with a towed pinger locator on loan from the United States Navy, sailed from Perth on 31 March, expecting to begin searching on 3 April for the underwater locator beacon attached to the aircraft's flight recorders.<ref>McPhedran & Swallow, ''Weather forces Navy ship to narrowly miss vital clue in Malaysia Airlines mystery''</ref><ref name=cbs-warship>CBS News, ''Warship with black box detector joins search for missing Malaysian jet''</ref><ref>BBC News, ''Malaysia flight MH370: No time limit on search, says Tony Abbott''</ref> Starting on 14 April 2014, ''Ocean Shield'' stopped towing the pinger locator and instead deployed the autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) ''Bluefin-21'', a sidescan sonar robotic submarine, to map the area.<ref name=SMH-2014-04-15>{{cite news |title= Missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370: sea-bed hunt hits hurdle as Bluefin-21 resurfaces |last=Spooner |first=Rania |date=15 April 2014 |work= The Sydney Morning Herald |url=http://www.smh.com.au/national/missing-malaysia-airlines-flight-mh370-seabed-hunt-hits-hurdle-as-bluefin21-resurfaces-20140415-36ofo.html}}</ref>
The naval service of ''Ocean Shield'' was only intended to cover the drop in capability after the ''Kanimbla''s were decommissioned until the ''Canberra''-class landing helicopter dock ships entered service.<ref name=MfDMfDM/><ref name=Ellery>Ellery, ''Defence buys boat bound for Customs''</ref> Once achieved, ''Ocean Shield'' would be transferred to the Customs Marine Unit of the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service, as a replacement for ''Ocean Protector'', a sister ship operating under charter.<ref name=Ellery/> Although the transfer was originally intended to occur in 2016 (when both ''Canberra''-class vessels were in service and ''Ocean Protector''{{'}}s charter would expire),<ref name=Ellery/> it was brought forward to 1 July 2014, and ''Ocean Protector''{{'}}s charter was terminated on 31 December that year.<ref name=SaundersPhilpott39>Saunders & Philpott (eds.), ''IHS Jane's Fighting Ships'' 2015–2016, p. 39</ref><ref>Australian Customs and Border Protection Service, ''Australian Customs and Border Protection Service: Annual Report 2014–15'', pp. 44, 50</ref> However, in 2016 Australia re-purchased Ocean Protector.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://newsroom.border.gov.au/releases/ocean-protector-boosts-australia-s-border-protection|title = Australian Border Force Newsroom}}</ref>
thumb|right|ABFC Ocean Shield at the Australian Marine Complex, Henderson, now in the colors of the Australian Border Force After being transferred to Customs, ''Ocean Shield'' received modifications in Singapore and Hobart to improve its suitability for patrol tasks. The ship entered operational service in November 2014.<ref name="ACBPS_2015_50">Australian Customs and Border Protection Service, ''Australian Customs and Border Protection Service: Annual Report 2014–15'', p. 50</ref> It is funded to spend 300 days conducting patrols each year.<ref name="ACBPS_2015_44">Australian Customs and Border Protection Service, ''Australian Customs and Border Protection Service: Annual Report 2014–15'', p. 44</ref> In Customs service, ''Ocean Shield'' is armed with two machine guns, and received the ship prefix "ACV" (Australian Customs Vessel).<ref name=SaundersPhilpott39/><ref name="ACBPS_2015_44"/> Although primarily tasked to Australia's northern waters as part of Operation Sovereign Borders, ''Ocean Shield'' is capable of operating in the Southern Ocean.<ref name="ACBPS_2015_50"/>
On 16 April 2015, ''Ocean Shield'' commenced a 42-day deployment to the Southern Ocean: the first Customs patrol of the region since 2012.<ref name="ACBPS_2015_50"/>
Following the creation of the Australian Border Force in July 2015, ''Ocean Shield''{{'}}s prefix was changed to "ABFC" (Australian Border Force Cutter). {{clear left}}
==Citations== {{reflist}}
==References== ===Books=== * {{cite journal |author1=Australian Customs and Border Protection Service |title=Australian Customs and Border Protection Service: Annual Report 2014–15 |journal=Annual Report |date=2015 |publisher=Department of Immigration and Border Protection |location=Canberra |issn=1837-7181 |url=https://www.border.gov.au/ReportsandPublications/Documents/annual-reports/ACBPS-Annual-report-2014-15.pdf |access-date=1 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160318175221/https://www.border.gov.au/ReportsandPublications/Documents/annual-reports/ACBPS-Annual-report-2014-15.pdf |archive-date=18 March 2016 |url-status=dead }} * {{cite book |editor1=Saunders, Stephen |editor2=Philpott, Tom |title=IHS Jane's Fighting Ships 2015–2016 |publisher=IHS Jane's |location=Coulsdon |date=7 August 2015 |edition=116th Revised |series=Jane's Fighting Ships |isbn=9780710631435 |oclc=919022075}}
===News articles=== *{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-26728045 |title=Malaysia Airways MH370: Relatives in Beijing clashes |date=25 March 2014 |work=BBC News |access-date=31 March 2014}} *{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-26814929 |title=Malaysia flight MH370: No time limit on search, says Tony Abbott |date=31 March 2014 |work=BBC News |access-date=2 April 2014}} *{{cite news |url=http://www.cbsnews.com/news/malaysia-airlines-flight-370-ships-retrieve-possible-debris-in-ocean/ |title=Warship with black box detector joins search for missing Malaysian jet |work=CBS News |date=29 March 2014 |access-date=31 March 2014}} *{{cite news |url=http://www.canberratimes.com.au/national/defence-buys-boat-bound-for-customs-20120319-1vg4u.html |title=Defence buys boat bound for Customs |last=Ellery |first=David |date=20 March 2012 |work=The Canberra Times |access-date=1 January 2016}} *{{cite news|url=http://www.marinelog.com/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=2181:dof-subsea-orders-oscv-to-replace-newbuild-sold-to-australia&Itemid=222 |title=DOF Subsea orders OSCV to replace newbuild sold to Australia |date=26 May 2012 |publisher=Marine Log |access-date=7 April 2014}} *{{cite news |url=http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/national/weather-forces-navy-ship-to-narrowly-miss-vital-clue-in-malaysia-airlines-mystery/story-fnihslxi-1226864685171 |title=Weather forces Navy ship to narrowly miss vital clue in Malaysia Airlines mystery |last1=McPhedran |first1=Ian|author-link1=Ian McPhedran |last2=Swallow |first2=Julian |date=25 March 2014 |work=The Courier Mail |access-date=26 March 2014}} *{{cite news|url=http://digital.realviewtechnologies.com/default.aspx?xml=defencenews_navy.xml&iid=65341 |title=New Shield has arrived |date=19 July 2012 |work=Navy News |publisher=Royal Australian Navy |pages=7|access-date=3 October 2012}} *{{cite news|url=http://www.navy.gov.au/Purchase_of_Offshore_Support_Vessel_for_Humanitarian_and_Disaster_Relief |title=Purchase of Offshore Support Vessel for Humanitarian and Disaster Relief |date=13 March 2012 |publisher=Royal Australian Navy |access-date=31 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120410015615/http://www.navy.gov.au/Purchase_of_Offshore_Support_Vessel_for_Humanitarian_and_Disaster_Relief |archive-date=10 April 2012}}
===Press releases=== *{{cite press release|title=Ocean Shield the Navy's newest humanitarian and disaster relief vessel |publisher=Offices of the Minister for Defence and Minister for Defence Materiel |date=3 June 2012 |url=http://www.minister.defence.gov.au/2012/06/03/minister-for-defence-stephen-smith-and-minister-for-defence-materiel-jason-clare-joint-media-release-ocean-shield-the-navys-newest-humanitarian-and-disaster-relief-vessel/ |access-date=1 January 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151102212348/http://www.minister.defence.gov.au/2012/06/03/minister-for-defence-stephen-smith-and-minister-for-defence-materiel-jason-clare-joint-media-release-ocean-shield-the-navys-newest-humanitarian-and-disaster-relief-vessel/ |archive-date=2 November 2015 }}
===Websites=== *{{cite web|url=http://www.navy.gov.au/adv-ocean-shield |title=ADV Ocean Shield |publisher=Royal Australian Navy |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150913204722/https://www.navy.gov.au/adv-ocean-shield |archive-date=13 September 2015 |access-date=14 December 2015 |url-status=dead}} *{{cite web |url=http://www.navy.gov.au/ifr/participants/warships |title=Participating Warships |year=2013 |work=International Fleet Review 2013 website |publisher=Royal Australian Navy |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131210092404/http://www.navy.gov.au/ifr/participants/warships |archive-date=10 December 2013 |access-date=14 December 2015 |url-status=dead}}
==External links== {{commonscat|IMO 9628374}} * [https://web.archive.org/web/20151113140631/http://www.border.gov.au/australian-border-force-abf/protecting/maritime/cutter-abfc-ocean-shield Australian Border Force Cutter (ABFC) Ocean Shield], Australian Border Force webpage for the ship.
{{Portal bar|Australia|Engineering}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ocean Shield}} Category:2012 ships Category:Patrol boats of the Marine Unit (Australian Border Force) Category:Ships built in Tulcea