PNG Defence Force farewells maritime ship

The PNG Defence Force farewelled one of its ships which served the country for more than 30 years.
The event was on Friday in Port Moresby
According to Defence Force chief of force preparations Col Siale Diro, HMPNGS Rabaul 1 had served the country for 31 years and three months until its final deployment last month.
“HMPNGS Rabaul 1 has deployed on many operations and naval exercises both in the country and abroad during her service life,” he said.
“She has taken part in bilateral and multilateral international exercises.
“Patrols in support of National Fisheries Authority, disaster relief and other security tasks.”
HMPNGS Rabaul 1 was originally commissioned as HMPNGS Tarangau on May 16, 1987, in Fremantle, Western Australia, and brought into service in the PNGDF Maritime Element soon after the handover to Papua New Guinea by the Australian government.
It was the first of the 22 ships built under the Pacific Class Patrol Boat (PCPB) programme funded by the Australian government under its defence cooperation programme with PNG and 11 other Pacific Islands nations.