HMAS Wollongong (FCPB 206)

HMAS "Wollongong" (FCPB 206), named for the city of Wollongong, New South Wales, was one of fifteen "Fremantle" class patrol boats to operate with the Royal Australian Navy (RAN).

"Wollongong" was laid down by the North Queensland Engineers and Agents. She was launched on 17 October 1981, and commissioned into the RAN on 28 November 1981.

"Wollongong" is the only RAN vessel to have appeared in two television series, portraying a fictional "Fremantle" class patrol boat in both. In 1983, "Wollongong" was one of five ships used to portray HMAS "Defiance" in the second season of "Patrol Boat". [cite web |url=http://www.navy.gov.au/w/images/Semaphore_2005_17.pdf |type=PDF |title=Farewell to the Fremantle class |accessdate=2008-08-21 |year=2005 |month=October |work=Semaphore - Newsletter of the Sea Power Centre Australia (Issue 17) |publisher=Sea Power Centre - Royal Australian Navy |quote=Launceston, Townsville, Warrnambool, Whyalla and Wollongong were all seen masquerading as the fictitious HMAS Defiance.] In 2006, after being decommissioned from service, "Wollongong" one of two patrol boats used to portray the fictional HMAS "Hammersley" (pennant number 202) for the 13-episode Australian television drama series "Sea Patrol".cite news |first=Barry |last=Rollings |title=Ipswitch switches over |url=http://www.defence.gov.au/news/NAVYNEWS/editions/4920/topstories/story07.htm |work=Navy News |date=2006-11-02 |accessdate=2007-05-30] "Wollongong", docked at HMAS "Waterhen" was used for scenes aboard and around the docked ship. This footage was with scenes shot aboard the operational HMAS "Ipswitch" to create the fictional patrol boat.

"Wollongong" was decommissioned on 11 February 2006.cite web |url=http://www.navy.gov.au/HMAS_Wollongong_%28II%29 |title=HMAS Wollongong (II) |accessdate=2008-08-04 |publisher=Royal Australian Navy]

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