Australian Defence Force hands over patrol boat to Samoa

Maritime August 3, 2019

The Australian Navy has handed over a patrol boat to Samoa to improve maritime cooperation in the South Pacific.

The Guardian-class Patrol Boat (GCPB) was officially given to Samoa during an event at the Austal Shipyard on 16 August in Western Australia. The vessel is one of 21 in the Pacific Patrol Boat Replacement Project that aims to enhance security cooperation between countries in the South Pacific.

Guardian-class ships are replacing Pacific-class vessels which were given to Pacific countries in the 1980s. The ship has been christened the Nafanua II and will undergo sea trials with the Royal Australian Navy before its maiden voyage in Samoa.

Deputy Prime Minister of Samoa Fiame Naomi Mata’afa said: “I would like to thank the Australian Government for the gifting of this boat, named Nafanua II, to the Samoan Government.”

“This is yet another milestone event reflecting the close and cordial relationship between Australia and Samoa, particularly in our continued collaboration on regional security and the monitoring and protection of Samoan sovereign waters.”

The new ships have been designed with electric engine controls to conserve fuel as well as twin diesel engines capable of providing 400kw of power. Other ships in the programme will be given to navies in 12 Pacific nations and Timor-Leste.

The programme aims to provide Samoa and other Pacific nations with the means of tackling a number of maritime security issues such as unlawful fishing and international crime. The ceremony was attended by Australian Minister of Defence Industry Melissa Price as well as members of the Samoa Police Maritime Wing.

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