Airdate: Australian Pirate Patrol

Move over Sea Patrol, National Geographic has the World Premiere series of Australian Pirate Patrol, with the Royal Australian Navy granting exclusive access to a Middle East tour of duty.

The 4 part series shadows the 193 men and women aboard the Royal Australian Navy’s HMAS Toowoomba as they join a US-led task force to combat smuggling and piracy.

The crew on the first filmed Australian Pirate Patrol in the troubled waters of the Persian Gulf must not only navigate an increasingly dangerous region, they also face the ups and downs of being separated from partners and family.

The young crew must adapt to the daily pressures of life on active service, where their personal lives take a backseat. As the drama unfolds, the going gets tough and one mistake out here could mean the difference between life and death.

Australian Pirate Patrol marks the first time a film crew has been allowed access-in-full to an Australian warship on its complete six month tour of duty. The locally produced series will screen globally on National Geographic Channel in 166 countries and 34 languages.

It premieres Monday October 18, 2010 at 8:30pm.