DEFENCE MEDIA RELEASE
Issued by Ministerial Support and Public Affairs, Department of Defence, Canberra, ACT
Phone: 02 6127 1999, Fax: 02 62656946
MSPA 375/09
Friday, 6 November 2009
PATROL BOAT UPGRADE FOR FEDERATED STATES OF MICRONESIA
The latest in a series of Australian-sponsored Pacific Patrol Boat refits has been
completed and the refurbished vessel handed-back to the Federated States of
Micronesia at a ceremony at the Rosshaven Marine Shipyard in Townsville QLD
today.
Representing the Department of Defence, Acting Director General of Pacific and East
Timor Branch, Mr David Hallett handed over the newly refitted Pacific Patrol Boat
FSS MICRONESIA to the Secretary of Justice of the Federated States of Micronesia,
the Honourable Mr Maketo Robert.
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, David Hallett and the
Honourable Mr Maketo Robert.
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, thirteen PPBs have completed life extension refits in North Queensland.
The Federated States of Micronesia has three PPBs – PALIKIR, MICRONESIA and
INDEPENDENCE. Patrol Boat PALIKIR completed its refit in 2007. A refit of Patrol
Boat INDEPENDENCE is anticipated in 2011.
Media contact: Defence Media Liaison: 02 6127 1999 or 0408 498 664
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