Australia donates vessel to PNG Navy for patrols

The National National
PNGDF Naval officers securing the new naval vessel Nuship Rochus Lokinap at the Basilisk Naval base in Konedobu, Port Moresby on Friday after arriving from Australia. Nationalpic by KENNEDY BANI

THE PNG Navy received a second military guidance boat from Australia on Friday with a 21-man crew.
The Nuship Rochus Lokinap skippered by Sub-Lieutenant Terrance Mugugia arrived at the HMPNGS Basilisk Naval base after it was handed over by the Royal Australian Navy in Perth, Western Australia, on March 30.
It is part of the Pacific patrol boat replacement project under the Australian Government’s Pacific Maritime security programme.
PNG Defence Force maritime director commander Bunu Mwataba said the vessel would be in Port Moresby for a week before heading to the Lombrum Naval base in Manus.
“On the way to her home base, she will meet with her first sister boat, HMPNGS Ted Diro in the waters of Finschhafen in Morobe and will patrol together through the waters of Momase to the PNG-Indonesian border,” he said.
“From there they will head north to their home base in Manus.”
Mwataba said PNGDF commander Major-General Gilbert Toropo would commission it at a later date.
It is named after a former PNGDF commander.
“Two other vessels Nuship Francis Agwi and Gilbert Toropo will also come from Australia,” he said.
“Nuship Francis Agwi will arrive later in the year while Nuship Gilbert Toropo will arrive next year.”