The class was ordered in 1969 as replacements for World War II-era torpedo recovery vessels.
The vessels each had a full load displacement of 940NaN0, a length of, a beam of, and a draught of . Propulsion machinery consisted of three GM V8 diesels, which supplied to the three propeller shafts. Top speed was, and the vessels had an endurance of 63 hours at . Each Fish-class vessel could recover up to eight torpedoes via a watertight stern gate.[1] They were unarmed, and their sensor suite was limited to an I-band navigational radar. Nine personnel made up the crew.
All three vessels were built at Williamstown Dockyard for the Royal Australian Navy between January 1970 and April 1971.[2] [3]
Originally identified only by the numbers 253–255, the vessels were named in 1983 and renumbered 801–803.[1]
On entering service, TRV 253 was assigned to the target range at Jervis Bay, while the other two vessels were attached to in Sydney.[1] In addition to torpedo recovery, the boats were used as dive tenders and as training vessels for the Royal Australian Naval Reserve.[1]
In 1988, the three vessels were sold to DMS.[4] As part of the company's role in providing maritime support for the RAN, the vessels were assigned to various bases: Tuna to nearby, Trevally remaining at Waterhen, while Tailor sailed to in Western Australia.[2]
As of 2012, only Tailor remained in service.[3]
As of 2018, Tailor was decommissioned and put up for sale to the public effectively ending the service of this class[5]