Samoan patrol vessel ready for mission

SAMOA’S new Australia-funded patrol vessel has docked in Apia.

The $US30 ($F66m) guardian-class boat arrived at Matautu wharf on Friday.

After a commissioning ceremony later this month, it will assist with aerial surveillance of organised crime and illegal fishing. The ship is crewed by 21 Samoan maritime officers who took part in four months of training in Australia.

According to www.naval-technology.com The Australian Government has supplied a Guardianclass patrol boat to Samoa under the Pacific Maritime Security Program.

Nafanua II was handed over during a ceremony in Henderson, Western Australia.

Australia Defence Minister Linda Reynolds said: “The strong and enduring security partnership we have with the Samoa Police Service is evident as we deepen our defence cooperation through the exchange of the Guardian-class Patrol Boat under the Pacific Maritime Security Program.”

And according to Samoan Observer Prime Minister Tuilaepa Dr Sa’ilele Malielegaoi said Samoa and Australia would continue to build on and strengthen their bilateral relations.

He added the patrol boat would cover Samoa’s Pacific neighbourhood, which he said were missions to enhance the security of its ocean resources.

The Guardian-class Pacific Patrol Boat program will see 21 vessels being gifted by Australia to 12 Pacific Island nations and Timor Leste as part of the Australian Government’s Pacific Maritime Security Program.