Channel Nine began filming the third series of Sea Patrol last week, dubbed “Red Gold.”
Series 3 is centred on the fictitious Red Reef, where oil and gas rigs lie adjacent to exotic coral formations.
Lisa McCune and Ian Stenlake are again back for the drama, which will film for six weeks around Mission Beach in Far North Queensland and at the Warner Roadshow Studios on the Gold Coast.
The drama has always had to juggle its access to the navy patrol boat, including shooting many scenes out of order across its entire series, rather than episode by episode which is a common convention in television production.
Studio scenes are added later when the boat is no longer a priority. That’s surely enough to keep everyone on their toes, not just actors, but especially continuity.
Sea Patrol 3: Red Gold will air on Nine in 2009.
Nine Press Release:
The Nine Network today announced that the popular drama mini-series, Sea Patrol, has commenced production of its third season in Far North Queensland.
Sea Patrol 3 – Red Gold follows the crew of HMAS Hammersley as they patrol the coastline of Australia, protecting the nation’s borders.
Lisa McCune again heads up the cast, along with Ian Stenlake and Saskia Burmeister. Regular crew members returning for the third season include Jeremy Lindsay Taylor (Buffer), Matt Holmes (Swain), John Batchelor (Charge), Jay Ryan (Spider), Kristian Schmid (RO) and Kirsty Lee Allan (Bomber), along with a fresh new crew member in Nikolai Nikolaeff (2Dads).
Steve Bisley will reprise his role as Commanding Officer Steve Marshall. David Lyons (ET) returns to guest star along with Jessica Napier (McLeod’s Daughters, Stingers), Blair McDonough (Big Brother, Neighbours), Tasma Walton (Blue Heelers) and Robert Coleby who starred in the original Patrol Boat nearly 30 years ago.
The Royal Australian Navy is again supporting the mini-series, supplying production with numerous vessels and crews. A $60 million, Armidale-class patrol boat will again play the role of HMAS Hammersley.
Executive Producer, Di McElroy, said: ‘‘The title of the third series, Red Gold, refers to the deep-sea red fan coral whose weight is worth more than gold.”
Executive Producer, Hal McElroy, said” “We are thrilled to be working on the third series of Sea Patrol. With the support from our regular partners – the Nine Network, Royal Australian Navy, Pacific Film Television Commission and Portman Media Assets (UK) – the HMAS Hammersley is ready to set sail for more adventure.”
Channel Nine’s Head of Drama, Jo Horsburgh, said: “Nine is thrilled to be embarking on the production of series three of Sea Patrol. We look forward to presenting this outstanding drama on the network in early 2009.”
The Sea Patrol cast will be filming at Mission Beach, Cairns and on the Gold Coast from now until February 2009.
PFTC Press Release:
Principal photography commences today in Far North Queensland on the Australian television drama Sea Patrol 3 – Red Gold.
Arts Minister Rod Welford welcomed the return of veteran producers Di and Hal McElroy and an all-star cast, led by Lisa McCune and Ian Stenlake, to the state.
“Our Government, through the Pacific Film and Television Commission (PFTC), is thrilled to once again partner with McElroy All Media on this prominent and successful television drama series,” Mr Welford said.
“A regular viewing audience of 1.5 million Australians can’t be wrong, and since the program’s debut in 2007, the rights have been licensed to over 200 channels across Canada and Europe.
“The PFTC is providing development, production and investment funding for Red Gold, just as it did for Sea Patrol 1 and Sea Patrol 2 – The Coup, in order to stimulate our local screen industry and to deliver real economic benefits to the state.
“Over the next six weeks the production will shoot 13 episodes for Series 3 on location at Mission Beach in Far North Queensland and at the Warner Roadshow Studios on the Gold Coast.
“Sea Patrol 3 – Red Gold is likely to generate close to $12 million in Queensland production expenditure and create around 350 jobs.
“The series represents a significant component of the state’s total production expenditure for 2008/09, which now stands at $46.3 million.”
The Sea Patrol series is set onboard a fictional Royal Australian Navy Armidale class patrol boat, the HMAS Hammersley. Previous series’ storylines have dealt with contemporary issues faced by the Navy, including illegal fishing, drug and reptile smuggling, asylum seekers and immigration. Series 3 is centred on the fictitious Red Reef, where oil and gas rigs lie adjacent to exotic coral formations.
“Executive producers Di and Hal McElroy, the team behind long-running Australian television drama series’ Blue Heelers and Water Rats, are incredibly experienced and I hope the program has the longevity and success of the McElroy’s previous work,” Mr Welford said.
The third series of Sea Patrol will screen on the Nine Network in 2009.
Principal photography will also commence shortly in Queensland on a third series of Jonathon M.Shiff’s hit children’s television series H2O: Just Add Water.






Sea Patrol is the best show Channel 9 has ever run. I have seen every episode since it first started. But now a question relating to Series 3 Episode 10 (20th July 09) The number clearly seen on the bow of the “Hammersley” is “82″ so why was the number on the “Huon” also “82″ when they are two totally different boats? I hope somebody at either Channel 9 or somebody from McElroy’s can tell me. Apart from that it is a wonderfully written show with lots of surprises. I hope you will continue to keep making many more series of this high calibre.
Sea patrol red gold is awesome and i’ve only seen 2 eps so far, it was so sad about ET .
think so
I know ET was my favourite, I think you will find that David Lyons who played ET had to go and work on ER.
Why oh Why did et die
well im not gonna watch it cause i got foxtel and its given me a hint on wats happening
There’s a preview of ep 1 on the sea patrol ninemsn site.
mate im like 1 of the biggest fans i think ill remeber
sorry i had some computer spelling error’s after tonight 3 nights to go 8.30 remmeber
thats kool and thanx for the info
i’m only 12 but sea patrol is my favrit tv show and i’v got every season out but i carn’t belive it is on monday at 8.30 i’ll be watching it and theres promes on youtube lots theres babys girls frfiends and new boy friends and anew man on the job, et dos go on holidays so he can do cermirshel fishing and seal tropicel fish like clown fish and a hover craft and the pirson that dies i think i spider, swame,buffer or et but i think that et dos not die because nav and et should get married and have kids so go to youtube it has the lot and google
sorry about some spelling not good at some
from corey
yeah i know ive watch one
Yeh i cannot wait, If you go onto the channel 9 site there are like 3 different promos.
i just saw the add on channel nine and it said it returns monday 18th of may
comfirmed
woooo!!!!!!
cant wait
No problem Tim.
thank you
All i know is that it’s starts on the 18th May (Monday) at 8.30pm, there are also 2 promos out but if you want more info you should join the sea-patrol.com site as we discuss the series and everything to do with Sea Patrol.
kelp is there any more news about the release date
thanx
Well it was on the sea-patrol.com site which had a link to a longer promo and it said starts 18th May and that was off ninemsn.
has channel nine confirmed that yet
Sea Patrol Red Gold is going to be on the 18th May
Hopefully. At this stage it doesn’t mean anything.
I just saw that Trimbole: The Real Underbelly will screen on May 11th so does that mean Sea Patrol will start on the 18th May?
I agree the channel nine site is hopeless and good site to join is the sea-patrol.com site.
Oh how I love Sea Patrol…
My obsession started because my bf was on a patrol boat during season one, and now I’m hooked on it!!
Does anyone know if the May 14th release date official yet? The official site has almost no info on Season 3.
thanks
Just go to sea-patrol.com, click on forum and click register, it’s a really good website worth joining.
how do u sign up for it
Thanks Tim. also are you a member of the sea patrol.com site?
well i dont but it will be soon ill post it when they do
So does anyone actually know when channel nine will release the date?
apperently its gonna come back on
on thursday may 14th
i think if not earlier the better
Not official, but I suspect so.
Can anyone tell me if Sea Patrol is coming back after underbelly finishes (taking its spot of Monday nights at 8.30pm)??
sea patrol rules thanx emily tell us when it coming back on cant wait
soory i meant to say 14th may!!
um. i think it starts on the 14th april!!
OMG, I am obsessed with Sea Patrol it is all on everything in my room.
Does anyone know when it airs?
Ill be extremely sad if XO dies
.
Sometime after Easter.
I can’t wait for season 3 to begin. Does anyone know when it aires on TV. I keep trying to find our but all i keep finding is “Early 2009″. It sounds interesting though.
I just love Buffer
omg i love sea patrol
does anyone know when they are airing the first episodes.
i love the navy guys
When does SeaPatrol 3 start i dont want to miss the first episode???
my best friend’s mum’s physiotherapist was in an episode of sea patrol 3. she played some prostetute who got killed, so look out for her! lol.
cant wait until it comes back!! i check the tv guide every week!! ( i know, im a little obsessed…:P)
omg.. I really can not wait anymore..
wow i can not wait, soudds awesome!!! does any1 know the date it will come out on?? I would love to just even b an exter if there is any chance or if any one knows anything about how i can make my dream come true please pleas let me know. 8D =) thankyou. Jaz
Hey!!
Cant wait for the third season 2 start!!!
one scene, or maybe an episode has actually been filmed on a block of land which my friends family owns in the Mt Tamborine area!!
All I can give away is… A crashed Airplane… hehe…
Gud Luck and have fun guys!!
xoxo
OMg howd u get a navy boy…..LOL thanks if anyone else knows please feel free to tell me urgent!
jayme
I have seen that is coming on in approx april/may that was on another forum though so I can not promise anything…
)
but I do know that it’s too long for me to wait!! I’m addicted!! (even though i’ve snagged a hot Navy boy for myself
does anyone know when sea patrol actually starts this year when is the first episode???
please hurry… jayme =)
omgshh. i am soo relieved that nikki and josh are still on the the third serries,
cs i though they were going to give their realationship another go. but mabe one of them is leaving the ship. ? who knows. i just can’t wait untill its on again !
The reason why the first season wasn’t as good as the second is because it was filmed for a 7:30 timeslot, even thought it was shown at 8:30 (they changed the timeslot for some reason). The second season was filmed for an 8:30 timeslot, and that is why it was more action-packed.
Jassmin, Ive just been having a look at Hal and Di McElroy (Exec. Producers) Wensite and they have a contact us button with email address. Im not sure if thats what you were after but i thought it might be worth a try!
Here is the website for McElroy Media and then click the contact us tab and an email address is displayed there! Good Luck, Hope you find out what you are after 1
If its anything you think a Sea Patrol Fan may be interesting in hearing about fill me in too! Here is their website: http://www.mcelroyallmedia.com.au
And if you here or recieve any news let me know here too!
does any one no how to send an email to the producers of seapatrol i would love to talk to them
thanx heaps if anyone knows
I am really enjoying Sea Patrol as well … all those hot Navy boys!!!!
Good stories and well made also!
Jack!
agree i didn’t like first season but i thought second season was really really good and am looking forward to this new season. good on you 9 you are on song with this one.
This series should be great, I can’t wait! Season 2 was such a huge improvement over series one so if the quality of season 2 can be maintained I won’t be disappointed.
I just can’t WAIT! – I love Sea Patrol way too much, and have had cravings ever since the season final some months ago when my year was made, having heard Sea Patrol would be back for Series III!
- Spunkymonkeycaesar
Excellent can’t wait! it sounds like S3 is going to be a ripper. Rather interesting about shooting scenes from different episodes in one go ,sounds quite challenging!
Do not want