DEFENCE MEDIA RELEASE
Issued by Ministerial Support and Public Affairs, Department of Defence, Canberra, ACT
Phone: 02 6127 1999, Fax: 02 6265 1545
MSPA 295/09
Friday, 04 September 2009
LATEST PACIFIC PATROL BOAT UPGRADE FOR TONGA
The latest in a series of Australian-sponsored Pacific Patrol Boat refits has been completed
and the refurbished vessel handed-back to the Kingdom of Tonga at a ceremony at the
Rosshaven Marine Shipyard in Townsville QLD today.
Representing the Department of Defence, Air Commodore Tony Jones handed over the newly
refitted Pacific Patrol Boat VOEA NEIAFU to the High Commissioner of the Kingdom of
Tonga, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince Tupouto’a Lavaka.
The handover ceremony included an opening prayer and blessing of the ship, a parade by the
Ship’s crew and the signing of an official Certificate of Completion by the General Manager
of Rosshaven Marine Mr Christopher Helps, Air Commodore Jones and His Royal Highness
the Crown Prince.
Under Australia’s Defence Cooperation Program - sponsored and funded by Defence’s
International Policy Division - 22 Pacific Patrol Boats (PPB) were built and gifted to 12
Pacific nations between 1987 and 1997. The 31.5 metre PPBs are built to a commercial
standard and are used by Pacific nations for maritime surveillance and response, in particular
fisheries patrols.
Each PPB will undergo a six-month life extension refit that will see the repair and
refurbishment of key systems to allow a further 15 years operation, bringing the total
operational life of the boats to 30 years.
The refit program includes repairs to ageing hulls and superstructures, structural
modifications to improve and strengthen the hull, improvements in refrigeration and air
conditioning systems, engine, generator and gearbox overhauls and installation of advanced
navigation systems.
Since 2003, twelve PPBs have completed life extension refits in North Queensland. All refits
for the remaining PPBs are scheduled for completion by the end 2012.
Tonga has three PPBs – VOEA NEIAFU, VOEA SAVEA and VOEA PANGAI. Patrol Boat
VOEA PANGAI will commence its refit in mid-September 2009.
Media contact: Defence Media Liaison: 02 6127 1999 or 0408 498 664
NEWS 
