Navy launches new patrol boat

THE Papua New Guinea Navy’s first guardian class patrol boat from Australia Ted Diro 401 has been commissioned to replace the Pacific class ship that had served for 30 years until October last year.
It was commissioned in Port Moresby on Friday and named after the first PNG Defence Force commander Ted Diro.
The ship, ready for service, was brought from Darwin in Australia in December.
Defence Minister Solan Mirisim said it was brought in through “a great partnership with Australia” and timely since the announcement of rebuilding the naval base at Lombrum Island on Manus.
Mirisim said three other patrol boats would be on their way from the Royal Australian Navy as part of a maritime project between the two countries.
“Papua New Guinea depends so much on their daily survival through fishing and also a part of the economy that comes from sea and to have the boats in our waters will be a boost to our economy,” he said.
Mirisim told all those present, including army officers, that the deal with Australia for the Lombrum naval base would be done later this month.
The PNGDF Pacific-class patrol boat HMPNGS Rabaul was decommissioned in October after 30 years and replaced by Ted Diro 401.