A 98-metre trimaran will soon join the Australian Customs patrol fleet to help combat illegal foreign fishing, the Minister for Justice and Customs, Senator Chris Ellison, announced today.

Senator Ellison said the deployment of the Triton for a 12-month patrol program was the latest initiative in the Howard Government's strategy to beef up Australia's response to illegal foreign fishing.

Built in the UK in 2000, the diesel-electric powered Triton is one of the largest trimaran vessels in the world, with a top speed of 20 knots and is capable of remaining at sea for extended periods.

Supported by a civilian maritime crew of 14, the Triton will also carry up to 28 armed Customs officers capable of boarding and securing vessels operating illegally in the Australian Fishing Zone.

Senator Ellison said the Triton would also be armed with two .50 calibre machine guns.

"The Howard Government allocated $17 million in the last Budget to provide for this year-long patrol deployment, as part of a $389 million funding increase over four years to support our anti-illegal fishing strategy," he said.

Senator Ellison said Customs had selected the Triton for its range, speed and capability of operating independently or as a command ship, working in tandem with other Customs and Royal Australian Navy patrol boats.

"The Triton will be an integral part of the Border Protection Command's responses to illegal incursions by fishing boats," Senator Ellison said.

The 'Triton' will have the capacity to detain illegal foreign fishers for only as long as is needed to transfer them to shore for processing and prosecution, if warranted.

The Triton's sole mission will be to hunt down and seize any illegal boats that are foolish enough to fish in Australian waters," Senator Ellison said.

Images of the 'Triton' can be found in the image gallery.

Broadcast quality video can be found at http://customs.ondeadline.com.au

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Matt Francis (02) 6277 7260 / 0406 052 038