VOEA Savea departs Tonga for the final time Featured
Voea Savea
16 April, 2019. On Saturday 13 April 2019, the VOEA Savea departed Masefield Navy Base for the final time, sailing past the Nuku’alofa waterfront and Royal Palace on its way to Australia.
VOEA Savea will be replaced by the new Guardian Class Patrol Boat (GPB) VOEA Ngahau Koula (Golden Arrow).
The Ngahau Koula is the first of two new patrol boats that will be gifted to His Majesty’s Armed Forces under Australia’s Pacific Maritime Security Program.
The crew sailing VOEA Savea to Australia will undergo further training in Western Australia on the new vessel, before sailing its maiden voyage back to Tonga in August.
Tonga will receive the second replacement GPB patrol boat in late 2020. The Pacific Maritime Security Program is Australia’s $2 billion step-up to the region, with an emphasis on a new era of partnership with countries like Tonga.
1 comment
-
The Defence Aid to Pacific island nations from the Commonwealth of Australia is very much appreciated by Tonga .. They are now replacing the old patrol boats with larger and more sophisticated ones ; which is fine , but there is one thing that bothers one and that is the cost of operating and maintaining the two ships . HM ARMED FORCES may have the expertise and the able seamen to make up the compliment for each ship , but what happens when they break down not only mechanically but , electronically too when these problems do occur who bares the cost ? How many times will these patrol boats be at sea for , and for how long ? How often do they visit the two Niua's ? if overseas aid STOP ! will the small island nations be able keep these warships operating ??? YES we are grateful , but realistically can these impoverished island nations afford the upkeep these vessels require ? , spare parts , paint , fuel , ordnance corps of each islands , do they have the necessary funds for the smooth running of these ships without overseas aid ? , a few perhaps ; but definitely not all . Just a thought .