Sea Patrol (TV Series 2007–2011) Poster

(2007–2011)

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8/10
Brew anyone?
sym-7828314 April 2021
I have to laugh sometimes at their clumsiness, like oh no, don't do that, don't go there, don't say anything, dummy! I hope it doesn't reflect the real Australian Navy! Apart from that, Sea Patrol is a highly entertaining show, casting is spot on, and the acting superb.
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8/10
Still great, 10+ years later
polohat7 October 2020
Here I am in the USA in 2020, & despite so many other reviews (& I tend to agree with most -- the good, and the bad) feeling compelled to write my own review. I stumbled across the series on Amazon Prime just a few weeks ago, being somewhat intrigued because I'm interested in military stuff, and as a youth, I lived in Australia for about a year. The first one or two episodes were kind of slow, but I was fascinated by the show obviously having access to a modern Australian Navy Frigate or Patrol Boat, and the Australian accents and various coast/ocean shots made me nostalgic for Australia.

Over the past two months, I've watched all the episodes except the last couple, and absolutely, the plot lines have gotten somewhat stale & some of the tactics shown seem more like they're for the United Nations than the Australian Navy. I don't appreciate some of the political-correctness preaching either (illegal immigrants & fishing), but what's kept me enthralled is the plot lines between the people, and the the appreciation for a a show that can be popular, without having to resort to very graphic violence or sex, like most American shows have resorted to.

Feels weird to be so engrossed in the show & characters, knowing that what I'm watching is from 10+ years ago, and I know I'm going to be going through withdrawals in a few days, when I end up watching the final episode of the series.
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8/10
Enjoyable Australian TV series
herblison-740-43652915 August 2020
My wife and I both enjoy this series about an Australian patrol boat whose crew are called upon to investigate illegal fishing, Mayday calls from civilian boats and a variety of other tasks. The depiction of the crews' duties seems very realistic, but only a real sailor would know for sure.

The characters are interesting and mostly appealing as individuals. The acting is good although the scripts sometime seem repetitive. My only other quibble is that it gives the impression that the Australian Navy has only one or two ships and no helicopters to assist in critical situations. I hope this is not the case.
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9/10
Entertaining and delightfully fictional - what more could I ask?
HyperCaz8 January 2009
Sea Patrol has its faults - from painfully obvious story lines to some dicey acting - but all in all, I enjoy it and never miss an episode. It's far from realistic but that's actually a good thing, because that's what makes this show so entertaining. And all the characters have their own space to develop through both series, despite some cast changes and questionable acting.

The ship itself and the locations are the real stars of Sea Patrol, and it's nice to see an Australian show with a half decent budget for once. Nothing beats some local scenery and themes, considering how many overseas shows flood the television market here.

I love Sea Patrol and I'm certainly going to keep watching.
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9/10
Bravo Zulu Sea Patrol
grathian-128 March 2010
Given that you have to cram a lot more story into a TV show than happens in real life, they did an excellent job here. I relived the smell of hot oil in the engine room and salt spray on the bridge wings in a storm. The smell of coffee on the mid-watch, sunrise on the bridge during the morning watch. It brought back a lot of the best memories, especially in the brief glimpses of the frigates such as I served many years aboard, although the Aussies seem to consider FFGs as the LARGE combatants!

Small ships have tight crews, and I saw a very realistic portrayal of life aboard a warship (given plot constraints). Second season was much improved over the first in showing realistic chain of command relationships.
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7/10
Not As Good As It Could Be
scaryisntit25 June 2008
Warning: Spoilers
As a fan of Lisa McCune from her days as "Maggie Doyle" in the mostly excellent 'Blue Heelers' series, I was curious to see what she was like after her extended hiatus from television. There was also the premise, the Australian Navy at work, which shed some interest. So, I started watching.

I watched the premiere with a dead mind. I didn't want to pick at it and point out all the faults that I could see and, while it had a few problems, it was worth the watch. Thus I have continued to watch each episode since.

Season 2 has just drawn to a close earlier in the week and I can honestly say I am looking forward to the Season 3 sometime early 2009.

But.

The show has numerous bad moments, dominantly because of bad script writing. There are occasions where you will just blink, mouth agape and wonder at the intellect of the crew. I will not spoil anything in particular, but there is an episode in the second season where Hammersley was taken over by insurgents which left me far from satisfied. The Captain basically gave the insurgents the ship, made every wrong decision, and yet was commended for his work when the crew finally took back control. It was silly, it was poorly executed, it was the worst episode, and is a perfect example of the poor script writing.

Lisa McCune's acting, unfortunately, is a little cold. She rarely shows any emotion, despite her character not being cold or calculating in any way, shape or form. In addition, many of the characters are pretty poorly developed.

Yet, while these aspects are irritating, I continue to watch because the overall story and the episodes do provide me with both interest and satisfaction in the end. It is my sincere hope that the writers will either be fired or improve, as they are the main weakness to the show at present.

For those who are sick of the American dramas with gunfights and overly high-tech gadgets coming in every other minute, this is certainly something I would recommend. As long as you can persevere on some of the weaker episodes, you will find satisfaction at the end.

For an Australian drama, now that Blue Heelers has left the air, this is perhaps the best around.
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10/10
Good acting, wimpy, over emotional characters.
chriskoczka-644737 December 2019
This is an enthralling drama on high seas. The actors do a very good job. But the characters, just aren't what I would call worthy of defenders of the national boarders. The XO armed with an automatic pistol was less capable of defending herself than an unarmed girl scout in a street fight. I seems like the characters are un-professionally trusting of the criminals they have on board with them. Maybe the director wants to put the Australian Navy in a very pacifist light?

It is sill a quality drama, and worth a look see.
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7/10
Clownish scenarios
xbrucex@hotmail.com24 June 2022
Most of the drama is based on clownish security practices. I'm sure the Australian Navy is far more professional than depictions in this dramedy. Great scenery though.
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10/10
Thoroughly enjoyable
andersoz2 June 2008
Nothing but great things to say about this show. After a bit of a slow start in Series One, Series Two is off to a cracking start - improved pace, improved writing and the actors have clearly settled into their roles.

In particular, I'd single out Jeremy Lindsay-Taylor (Buffer) and Sacha Burmiester (Nav) for great performance characterisation. The romantic tension between Flynn (Ian Stenlake) and Kate (Lisa McCune) is much more believable this time around.

There's obviously some suspension of belief required: in the second series at least one crew member gets into an extreme life-threatening situation each episode, and almost everyone on the crew is a heck of a lot prettier than any soldier I've come across, but you take these caveats at the outset and sit down to enjoy the drama.

One thing that the show could work on is a better calibre of guest actors - while there have been some standouts (well-known actors like Ditch Davey and Alan Dale) there have been a few guests this series that have really let the writing and the regular actors down.

If you haven't checked out series 2 of Sea Patrol I would highly recommend it.
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6/10
More like the Australian Coast Guard
bkoganbing26 October 2012
I just returned from an overnight trip to Toronto and while there happened to see an episode of Sea Patrol. It was an interesting series and of course populated by a bunch of Australian players none of whom I would know. The show is about a bunch of men and women who serve on a patrol boat in the Australian Navy. Might be nice if some American network started running these episodes.

Of course this is peacetime and the mission seems to be more one that our Coast Guard would be doing. Air sea rescue, running down smugglers, stuff like that. The craft these folks serve on is somewhere between the size of a destroyer and a Canadian Corvette.

The episode I saw involved the rescue of some kids whose fishing dinghy capsized off a coastal island. The crew also has to detonate an old mine, one of Mr. Tojo's calling cards from World War II.

It seemed like a competent well made series. When next in Canada, maybe I'll see another episode I hope.
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9/10
I really like it
wimpur30 July 2010
Over here in the Netherlands this series is behind the decoder. So no Dutch channel airs this show. While zapping I came across it and I got hooked. Of course it is not life in the war zone, but with the general problems: drugs, gunrunning. illegal aliens and all those islands nearby you can do a decent thing. OK, I admit, some episodes are a little obvious and boring but in general it is very watchable. Better than some US series we have over here. The interaction of men and women confined to a ships hull is nicely done and very recognizable. No gunslingers or nautical wonders, but just a group of people doing their daily job on the high seas. Just watched the last episode of season four. Hopefully it ill be continued next season
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7/10
This has been an enjoyable watch!
dlc-5247014 May 2023
Despite how ridiculously zanny so many of the episodes were I still enjoyed watching Sea Patrol! I also enjoyed reading reviews posted under the most ridiculous episodes throughout these seasons. Lol! I guess many viewers don't know about that option, rating and reviewing, separately, each episode, which certainly adds to this fun experience of watching an entire production with so many seasons and episodes within each of them.

I grew to love 97% of the crew members, especially the handsome blue eyed Lieutenant actor Ian Stenlake, and actor Jeremy Lindsey, as well.😍 Spider got on my nerves most of the time and his replacement did not deserve to have possession of any type of weapons. They should have at least cast 1 female actress who looked like she could bench press a 45lb weight bar, GeeezUs!

Anyway......so many of the episodes made me laugh at how bad their plots were, especially the 1 with that guy running around in a jungle in a bright red hoodie able to SNEAK up on The Navy and hit them in the head with a rock, or the guy with the hatchet chasing an ARMED female sailor? OMG! Those guys couldn't hit the side of a barn if ordered, and how they were so easily overtaken by anyone that began brawling with supposedly skilled Navy men & women? 👀 lol! This series made the Australian Navy look like keystone cops most times, but I still loved the constant excitement on each episode which featured that regions beautiful sea, islands and beaches.

Sadly, I found it absolutely discriminatory that producers never cast any Aboriginal or Indigenous Islander actors.

Nevertheless, I can not get enough of streaming Australian and New Zealand emergency rescue series, love the amazing scenery, and the acting ain't bad.

Thanks!
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4/10
The Ship is Slowly Sinking
daved-0655131 May 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Sea Patrol - As I watch the series years after it was broadcast, I find myself searching for life vests for the poor crew of a slow sinking ship. Don't get me wrong, as a former U.S. Navy Veteran, I love anything to do with the sea. However, as the series continues, the plots worsens, sending the once mighty warship deeper into the abyss.

The captain and crew of the HMAS Hammersley, do their best to keep the ship on course and from sinking into Davy Jones' Locker. Yet, I see the boarding parties as destined to surrender their weapons and fall victim to criminals almost every episode. It is a wonder that many don't get killed by their captors. Maybe, they have the fortune of 007 who is captured by ruthless villains only to cheat death at the last moment. To think that trained members of any military would surrender their sidearms is scary.

It is too bad that this show was not more like the original Mchale's Navy, based in comedy not "realistic" scenarios. I feel sorry for the actors who must constantly lose the opening battle to criminals, pirates, and other scounderals.

Being an Old Salt, I watch the show to recapture my love of the sea. However, I must resist the urge to fall prey to sea sickness from bad story lines (I never got sea sick, even in the North Atlantic in winter.)

Oh well, we can't always have what we desire. At least, it is better than staring at the wall during the COVID-19 Pandemic.
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10/10
The best Aussie TV show in a long time
duffman113216 April 2008
In 2007, "Sea Patrol" blasted onto the Channel Nine program. At first I thought that it would definitely not be my thing, and was expecting a boring piece of junk. I was really pleasantly surprised.

This program has everything you could possibly want: action, drama, romance (if you're into that sort of thing), great writing, and more! It also has a stellar cast including: Lisa McCune, Ian Stenlake, Saskia Burmeister, and Kristian Schmid (of Tomorrow People: New Generation fame).

If you are looking for Australian drama of exceptional quality, look no further than "Sea Patrol," "Sea Patrol II: The Coup" and "Sea Patrol III: Red Gold."
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9/10
Sea Patrol II- The Coup-- all steam ahead!!
leos_monkey12 May 2008
After watching season one which was so refreshing to watch because not only Australian but an action drama set in on a navy ship and best of all the cast are all quality actors- which i remember watching Jeremy as Kurt in HeartBreak High! I was so happy to hear nine had comissioned a second series and you can tell that channel nine has put in more money into this show as each episode goes along there's more and more action and not to mention the guest stars like Alan Dale and Ditch Davey among others.

I've been tuned into every episode so far- which is on the same time as Desperate Housewives which i've dumped cos it's getting tiring- I also look forward to seeing who else makes a guest spot.
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6/10
Great first 3 seasons
daviesalexa25 May 2021
Warning: Spoilers
Loved the first 3 seasons until ET died then it didn't seem so enjoyable like Kate was so annoying.
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10/10
For its Time
xoceandove-7400628 September 2020
One of the best shows for its time, indeed. A little slow on ship security and too many people had guns that got on board. The relationships were very realistic, as men and women can not contain their impulses. Sad, that Australia missed an opportunity to outsource this show. The cast was brilliant. XO did get on my nerve time to time, she acted dumb. As well as how they would fail time after time to learn from mistakes made. I would revise this show if I was Australia do an remake and sell it abroad as it has wide range appeal, could be a money maker. I am only sad I did not discover this before.
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6/10
OK
nedssite5 June 2021
Series initially was fairly entertaining. But as the seasons progressed some episodes were unrealistic, often forced and silly. As an aside, there are apparently ten additional crew members that are rarely seen but never heard or included. Probably because a speaking role requires higher pay!
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9/10
I LOVE Sea Patrol!
lueb-292-5929812 October 2013
I'm watching this show after it's had its run through the Australian markets and making its way outward on HULU. It makes me want to see more Australian TV shows. The characters in Sea Patrol are great, and superb acting is the norm. I know to some it seems unrealistic, but of course it should be, as it's a fictional show. Whatever the case, it's very exciting, fun, funny, dramatic, romantic, and though not always heavy on the plot, it's great fun to follow the procedural events and military ventures. I am a military veteran myself though not a sailor, but it seems very real to me, despite the negative reviews that claim the contrary. On a personal level, the characters to me seem very real and remind me of many people that I happened to serve with myself, and some of the best memories of my life. The characters in this show interact so well that at times it's simply a blast to watch. It seemed that the show took somewhat of a hit after Season Three, which is my favorite so far, when it lost the first "Buffer", "Spider", and "Nav",but I still enjoy the show and will watch till the end. I hope to see more excellent Australian shows like this in the future, along with the many British high productions that my wife and I favor over the mindless, trashy junk that predominantly flows out of my own country.
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6/10
Pretty good show, but...
jim_of_oz15 April 2022
I actually enjoy most of the show. The cinematography and scenery is great. The ship looks very cool. The crew however is terrible. The Australian navy must be red-faced seeing how they are depicted. The crew seems to have absolutely no idea of operational security. "Spider" has gotten several of his crew mates wounded because of total negligence in duties. They constantly let the nastiest people on board with no security. People stowaway and end up wandering the ship like tourists in Disneyland. Sometimes I have to just fast forward past the worst scenes.
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10/10
Only on season 1
sheelaghregan18 August 2019
I have just found this series and decided to give it ago its enjoyable. From reading some of the reviews it will get different to watch in time but I'm going to stick with as I recognise some of the cast from other things. So far I've noticed flaws with the writing but I am finding it relaxing action drama nothing to much to stretch your brain but the cast are engaging and you want to know what happens to them
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6/10
It is a great show if you are like me, who like Navy type shows.
Harry_Wild8 September 2020
Warning: Spoilers
The only reason that I do not give it 10 stars is that most of the episodes they fall prey to criminals, smugglers and trafficking. The ship is taken over by them or held hostage. The crew are armed with pistols and a couple of SBR. They never use their main gun to try to sink enemy vessels. It always use as a warming shot only. Their ship can be taken over by one individual and the Captain of the ship does nothing but fall victim to the demands made. Remember this is a Australia warship! In real life, the Captain would sink the ship before turn it over to an enemy!
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4/10
I fell bad for Australia if this is even a little representative of its Military
cgordon3-16 October 2020
I watch this show, and I want to like it, but the constant incompetence of the crew is staggering. Maybe I'm missing the point of the show to be more like Soap Opera than not, but it is hard to see a Military Boarding party armed with only pistols and shotguns (Apparently on purpose) constantly going against criminals armed with Automatic Weapons. I mean, are Auto Weaposn banned in the Australian Military or something? I just don't get it. Along with many other things that just don't make sense to me.
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9/10
Revolutions, two zero zero zero!
zanemcaleer12 April 2022
I could not help myself once I started and ended up binge watching this show on a streaming service over a period of three weeks. My Dad actually served on patrol boats and frigates when he was in the RAN before I was born. It was fun to compare his stories with the shows portrayal of what life was like aboard a patrol boat. Fortunately the directors didn't go for total realism here, otherwise we would have a 63 episode documentary about repetitive drills, cleaning, routine maintenance and administrative tasks. However, there was enough of the procedural to satisfy my curiosity and aid with the suspension of disbelief. There were only 12 crew aboard the old patrol boats that my Dad served on and the show does a good job of depicting how each member of the crew has to wear many hats to keep them a functional warship.

From the start of season two the show really lands on its feet having finally hit is stride. The characters have more than enough depth to hold my interest. There were a few characters in particular that debut with some quite unlikable qualities and it is a joy to watch them grow from episode to episode. Being set on a small boat, there is plenty of opportunities for interaction between the characters and I enjoyed watching them trip over each other in the tiny corridors and cabins, occasionally butting heads. As a result some strong friendships and intriguing romances develop whilst under the pressure.

The plot lines gradually get crazier as the show progresses and there are times the intrepid crew of the HMAS Hammersley feel like they are just bumbling around the ocean, steaming their way into trouble. This of course is all part of the fun and the show doesn't pretend to be something it isn't.

Sea Patrol was a lot of fun to watch and I would love to see a whole new series based on the same premise. Some of the crazier stuff I have heard about life in the navy from my Dad was about sneaking duty free items back aboard the ship and hiding them in the ovens used for baking rewound electric motors, trying to catch the biggest shark off the back of the boat for its teeth and good feed, and cheating at war games with the yanks by disguising the ship as a cruise using party lights. Something on the international exchange of crew would make for an interesting episode I think - imagine going from a patrol boat and doing your exchange aboard a floating city like an aircraft carrier.

All in all, I can recommend this beloved child of Australian TV.
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10/10
Sea Patrol 2007-2011
sbb-333671 July 2019
Love it one of the best TV series I have ever found, why I had to find it only on tubi and not on any other I don't know, anyway I will probably get in on DVD soon.
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