Patrol boat farewelled amid tears

Another of the Navy's Fremantle class patrol boats was farewelled this weekend, despite ongoing concerns about the fuel system in the $500 million replacement Armidale class fleet.

For the crew of HMAS Geraldton it was a teary farewell to a patrol boat that has given 23 years of service to the Royal Australia Navy.

HMAS Geraldton helped guide the 1987 America's Cup and Lieutenant Commander Aidan Nye says she has seen a lot of action since she began patrolling Australia's northern waters in 2001.

"We're often coming across these vessels in the middle of the night in very rough weather and sometimes that can be quite dangerous and hazardous," he said.

But as Geraldton was retired her replacements were still in dock.

The much heralded Armidale class have fuel problems and have been temporarily withdrawn from service.