Leeuwin-class survey vessel

The Leeuwin class is a two-ship class of hydrographic survey vessels operated by the Royal Australian Navy (RAN). Leeuwin and Melville were ordered from NQEA Australia in 1996, and were commissioned in 2000. The ships are capable of charting waters up to 6,000 metres (20,000 ft) deep, carry three Fantome-class survey boats, and could operate an AS 350B Squirrel helicopter. In addition to surveying duties, since 2001 both vessels have been used to supplement the RAN patrol force. Leeuwin and Melville are based at HMAS Cairns, and are active as of 2023.

HMAS Leeuwin in 2013
Class overview
NameLeeuwin class
BuildersNQEA Australia, Cairns
Built1996–2000
In commission2000–present
Completed2
Active2
General characteristics
TypeHydrographic survey ship
Displacement2,170 tons
Length71.2 m (233 ft 7 in)
Beam15.2 m (49 ft 10 in)
Draught4.3 m (14 ft 1 in)
Propulsion
  • 4 × GEC Alsthom 6RK 215 generators, 2 x Alsthom electric motors, 2 shafts
  • 1 × Schottel bow thruster
Speed13 knots (24 km/h; 15 mph)
Range18,000 nautical miles (33,000 km; 21,000 mi) at 9 knots (17 km/h; 10 mph)
Complement10 officers, 46 sailors, up to 5 trainees
Sensors and
processing systems
  • Radar:
  • Sperry Vision-Master FT navigation radars x 2; X-band and S-band.
  • Sonar:
  • Nautel C-Tech CMAS 30D; hull mounted omni-directional active sonar
  • Teledyne Seabat T50 Muti-Beam Echo Sounder
  • Ship specific hydrographic / navigation Single-Beam Echo Sounder(s)
  • EdgeTech Towed Side-Scan Sonar
Armament2 x 12.7 mm machine guns
Aircraft carriedNot permanently embarked
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