australian television information archive

Welcome Aboard

Episode 1.01
Australia: Thu, July 05, 2007
New Zealand: Sept 26, 2007
Canada: Mon, August 30, 2010 (Showcase)
1.971 million viewers (1st)
Written by Tony Morphett
Directed by Chris Martin-Jones

When HMAS Hammersley answers a distress call from Bright Island, Captain Mike Flynn and his crew discover a young woman lying paralysed on the beach. She is conscious but unable to talk, and despite their best efforts they are unable to save her. Thus begins new Executive Officer Lieutenant Kate McGregor's first day aboard a patrol boat, and CO Mike Flynn's obsession with the mystery of Bright Island. Something very odd is happening in connection with the Island. The Federal Police move in to investigate the woman's death, but no-one is talking. Her colleague, the striking Doctor Ursula Morrell, seems to know more than she's letting on, and Mike finds himself drawn to her cool beauty and her vulnerability.

Guest Starring: Steve Bisley as CMDR Steve Marshall, Sibylla Budd as Dr Ursula Morrell, Morgan O'Neill as Lieut Darryl Smith, Tye Harper as Seaman John Jaffah, Chris Stollery as Fed Agent Greg Murphy; Steve Nation as Sam Murray, Damien Garvey as Carl Davies, Melanie Munt as Dr Lisa Holmes, Gary Lo as FFV Fisherman, Haven Tso as FFV Fisherman, Ben Clements as Helmsman

Notes: Sea Patrol launched with the second highest rated premiere episode for an Australian drama ever, surpassing the McLeod's Daughters debut (1.89 million) but second to Always Greener's 2.06 million viewers. Filmed from October 09, 2006 to February 09, 2007.

What Lies Beneath

Episode 1.02
Australia: July 12, 2007
NZ: October 03, 2007
1.663 million viewers (1st)
Written by Tony Morphett
Directed by Chris Martin-Jones

The Hammersley uncovers a sophisticated drug smuggling network, with explosive results. Mike is convinced the Federal Police are covering up the poisoning death of a marine biologist. Kate is jealous of Mike's relationship with Ursula Morrell, while Nikki struggles to restrain her feelings for ET.

Guest Starring: Steve Bisley as CMDR Steve Marshall, Sibylla Budd as Dr Ursula Morrell, Morgan O'Neill as Lieut Darryl Smith, Tye Harper as Seaman John Jaffah, Chris Stollery as Fed Agent Greg Murphy, Pearl Tan as Fed Agent Alicia Turnball; Matthew Le Nevez as Julian Wiseman, Rick Donald as Glen 'Hawkie' Hawkes, Mark Franks as Drug Boss, Farkas Pungur as Stuart Wiseman double, Steve Harmon as Swain double, Jimmy Christiansen as ET Double

Ghost of Things Past

Episode 1.03
Australia: July 19, 2007
NZ: October 10, 2007
1.798 million viewers (1st)
Written by Michaeley O'Brien
Directed by Chris Martin-Jones

The crew uncovers a murder mystery after finding an abandoned catamaran on the high seas. Nikki's navigation skills are tested when Mike insists on doing a search and rescue for a missing sailor. Spider has his first experience of a cyclone, and his first sighting of a ghost ship.

Guest Starring: Steve Bisley as CMDR Steve Marshall, Morgan O'Neill as Lieut Darryl Smith, Tye Harper as Seaman John Jaffah, Chris Stollery as Fed Agent Greg Murphy, Pearl Tan as Fed Agent Alicia Turnball; Paul Gleeson as Steve Jackson/Kinsella, Liz Buchanan as Marie Kinsella, Ben Wood as Policeman, Scott Gregory as Kinsella double, Jimmy Christiansen as Rory Kinsella's dead body

Irukandji

Episode 1.04
Australia: July 26, 2007
NZ: October 17, 2007
1.624 million viewers (1st)
Written by Jeff Truman
Directed by Chris Martin-Jones

Mike is torn between saving the life of a missing refugee girl, and the lives of two shipmates bitten by the deadly Irukandji jellyfish. Also, while pursuing pirates, the Hammersley rescues a family of illegal immigrants from an unseaworthy ship.

Guest Starring: Morgan O'Neill as Lieut Darryl Smith, Tye Harper as Seaman John Jaffah; Todd Kevi as Colin Bacon, Andre Seager as Russell Gibson, Sepideh Madah as Sarmira Yousufzai, Joseph Jahani as Jamai Yousufzai, Jasmine Jahani as Rasoul Yousufzai, Sharhnaz Kikravezh as Fakhria Yousufzai

Oops: the launch has 4 people in it when it leaves the patrol boat but 5 are aboard in the next shot as it approaches the "pirate" vessel.

Under The Radar

Episode 1.05
Australia: August 02, 2007
NZ: October 24, 2007
1.603 million viewers (1st)
Written by Marcia Gardner
Directed by Chris Martin-Jones

The HMAS Hammersley attempts the daring capture of an illegal fishing 'mother ship', but they are thwarted by violent eco-terrorists intent on sinking the fishing boat. Lingering effects from the Irukandji sting may sink Charge's career. Mike finds himself falling in love with beautiful marine biologist Dr. Ursula Morrell, who later goes missing under mysterious circumstances.

Guest Starring: Steve Bisley as CMDR Steve Marshall, Sibylla Budd as Dr Ursula Morrell, Morgan O'Neill as Lieut Darryl Smith; Leighton Cardno as David Thompson, Monroe Relmers as Dr Poulos, Fernando Henriquea as Longline Captain, Valentino Del Toro as Mothership Captian, Kate Alstergren as Tenant, Shane Lee as Eco Militant #1, Antonia Soares as Longline Crew #1, Michael Cook as Longline Crew #2, Ben Clements as Helsman, Nathan Lawson as David double, Shea Adams as Eco Militant player, Mick Roughan as Eco Militant #2, Yasca Sinigaglia as Eco Militant Bandit, Darklo Tuskan as Eco Militant #3, Paul Phillips as RHIB Driver

Precious Cargo

Episode 1.06
Australia: August 09, 2007
1.575 million viewers (1st)
Written by John Ridley
Directed by Chris Martin-Jones

The crew uncovers a people-smuggling racket when they almost collide with a floating shipping container full of North Korean refugees. The Hammersley races to capture the smugglers' ship and save the lives of their human cargo. Meanwhile, Kate is wooed by a charming civilian sailor, and Mike is determined to solve the mystery of Ursula's disappearance.

Guest Starring: Steve Bisley as CMDR Steve Marshall, Morgan O'Neill as Lieut Darryl Smith, Martin Lynes as Rick Gallagher, Chris Stollery as Fed Agent Greg Murphy; Steve Nation as Sam Murray, Damien Garvey as Carl Davies, John Claire Lee as Doctor Soong, Matthew Whittett as Dr Lee, Jack Heywood as Dutch Captain, Laura Pike as Waitress, Jeamin Lee as Mrs Soong, Jordan Ling as Mrs Soong's Son

Rescue Me

Episode 1.07
Australia: August 16, 2007
1.581 million viewers (1st)
Written by John Ridley
Directed by Geoff Bennett

The men of the Hammersley are smitten by a female sailor with a rescue fetish. Meanwhile, several crew members succumb to food poisoning — or is it something more sinister? Mike suspects a link between the food poisoning, a federal police murder investigation, and Ursula's disappearance.

Guest Starring: Steve Bisley as CMDR Steve Marshall, Morgan O'Neill as Lieut Darryl Smith, Chris Stollery as Fed Agent Greg Murphy, Pearl Tan as Fed Agent Alicia Turnball; Nadia Townsend as Clair Watts, Matthew Whittett as Dr Lee, Glen Bauer as Victim 1, Gavin Scholfield as Victim 2; Renee Bowen as Clair Double, Mick Roughan as Bandit 1, Darko Tuskan as Bandit 2, Paul Phillips as Speedboat Driver, Jimmy Christiansen as ET Double

Through the Storm

Episode 1.08
Australia: August 23, 2007
1.477 million viewers (1st)
Written by Chris Hawkshaw
Directed by Geoff Bennett

Spider saves the life of a boy after discovering an unexploded sea mine, washed ashore during a cyclone. Elsewhere, Kate is humiliated when she sees a video of Chefo's bucks night and Spider fears his career may be over when he is caught impersonating an officer.

Guest Starring: Steve Bisley as CMDR Steve Marshall, Morgan O'Neill as Lieut Darryl Smith, Martin Lynes as Rick Gallagher, Chris Stollery as Fed Agent Greg Murphy; Damien Garvey as Carl Davies, Monette Lee as Deborah Bullen, Rel Hunt as Capt Craig Bolt, Trent Sullivan as Oscar Firinu, Deven Wilson as Connor Bullen, Zac Young as Tim James

Under the Hammer

Episode 1.09
Australia: August 30, 2007
1.336 million viewers (2nd)
Written by Jeff Truman
Directed by Geoff Bennett

Disaster looms for the Hammersley when a fire erupts in the engine room, after the mascot is stolen by a rival Patrol Boat crew. Meanwhile, an eye injury threatens to destroy Charge's career, and ET takes a vow of chastity to prove himself to Nikki.

Guest Starring: Steve Bisley as CMDR Steve Marshall, Sibylla Budd as Dr Ursula Morrell, Martin Lynes as Rick Gallagher; Monroe Reimers as Dr Poulos, Kate Garvin [Garven] as Suzie, Daisy Betts as Salls Blake, Ingrid Klienig as Nikki Double, Shea Adams as Sailor on Fire, Cameron McKay as Charge Double

Note: for the first time since its launch, Sea Patrol slips out of first place in the night's overall ratings (although it still won its timeslot)

Damage Control

Episode 1.10
Australia: September 06, 2007
1.341 million viewers (3rd)
Written by Sarah Smith
Directed by Geoff Bennett

The crew pursues a distraught father who has kidnapped his own children. Then, while searching a crocodile-infested swamp for the missing family, the crew discovers a badly mauled fisherman. Who has dumped him there, and will they save his life? Also, the mystery of Bright Island deepens when Mike discovers the body of a dead man.

Guest Starring: Morgan O'Neill as Lieut Darryl Smith, Pearl Tan as Fed Agent Alicia Turnball; Damien Garvey as Carl Davies, Brian Meegan as Gavin Daley, Djashaya Kanaki as Holly Daley, George Druery as Luke Daley, Justin Palazzo Orr as Able Seaman Harry Costa, Kate Garvin [Garven] as Suzie, Neil Fanning as Gavin Double, Scott Gregory as Gavin Double

Chinese Whispers

Episode 1.11
Australia: September 13, 2007
1.265 million viewers (4th)
Written by Tony Morphett
Directed by Geoff Bennett

The Hammersley saves sailors from a sinking ship, only to learn they are diamond smugglers who will kill to save their cargo. Swain is kidnapped by smugglers and left trapped in their sinking ship. Will Buffer rescue him before the ship sinks? Meanwhile, Mike is reprimanded by navy brass over his obsession with the Bright Island mystery.

Guest Starring: Steve Bisley as CMDR Steve Marshall, Morgan O'Neill as Lieut Darryl Smith, Chris Stollery as Fed Agent Greg Murphy, Pearl Tan as Fed Agent Alicia Turnball; Daisy Betts as Sarah Blake, Monroe Rerlmers as Dr Poulos, Callan Mulvey as Horst Wenders, Iain Sinclair as Jake Andrews, Justin Palazzo Orr as Able Seaman Harry Costa, Murray Burt as Richo, Matthew Whittett as Dr Lee

Note: actor Jamie Croft, Saskia Burmeister's real-life financé, appears in a cameo role as one of Wenders' uncredited crew members who comes aboard the Hammersley

Deep Water

Episode 1.12
Australia: Sept 27 / Oct 04, 2007
0.549 million viewers
Written by Kristen Dunphy
Directed by Geoff Bennett

The Hammersley races to save a boatload of tourists from being murdered as part of a bizarre terrorist publicity stunt. Meanwhile, Swain and the crew help deliver the baby of a runaway teenager, found lost at sea with her criminal boyfriend. A series of emergencies at sea prevent Swain from attending the birth of his first baby.

Guest Starring: Steve Bisley as CMDR Steve Marshall, Sibylla Budd as Dr Ursula Morrell, Morgan O'Neill as Lieut Darryl Smith, Chris Stollery as Fed Agent Greg Murphy; Lindsay Farris as Simon Connor, Erica Lovell as Briony Walters, Sam Smith as Declan Taylor, Rebecca Barrett as Tanya Taylor, Daisy Betts as Sally Blake, Michael Beattie as Sea Nymph Inako Crew 1, Craig Coventry as Sea Nymph Inako Crew 2, Veronica Sywak as Tourist 1, Paul Lyons as Tourist 2, Kathryn Perry as Tourist 3

Note: episode was not broadcast on Sept 27th in Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth but aired with the finale on Oct 4th

Cometh the Hour

Episode 1.13
Australia: October 04, 2007
1.204 million viewers (6th)
Written by Dave Warner
Directed by Chris Martin-Jones

The crew risks life and ship to hunt down a rogue terrorist boat and retrieve its cargo of bio-toxins. Mike makes the most difficult decision of his career when he orders the sinking of the rogue ship. Meanwhile, it's an emotional time for the crew as the navy officially decommissions the long-serving HMAS Hammersley.

Guest Starring: Steve Bisley as CMDR Steve Marshall, Sibylla Budd as Dr Ursula Morrell, Morgan O'Neill as Lieut Darryl Smith, Martin Lynes as Rick Gallagher, Chris Stollery as Fed Agent Greg Murphy, Yvonne Strzechowski [Yvonne Strahovski] as Fed Agent Martina Royce; Lee Adamson as Deckhand 1, Nik Schodel as Deckhand 2, Shea Adams as Deckhand 3, Pete Hill as Machine Gunner, Hayley Mitchell as Ursula Double, Den Seimer as Rick Double