New wharf for new patrol boats

Aola maritime patrol base, Honiara.

The Royal Solomon Islands Police Force Marine Division is proposing an upgrade of the Aola base at Point Cruz to cater for the new incoming patrol boats.

The RSIPF’s Marine Divisions  is expected to receive the first of the two patrol boats later this year.

The Guardian-class patrol boats are a class of small patrol vessels designed and built in Australia for small pacific islands countries.

The class is designed to be updated replacements for the Pacific Forum-class patrol boats provided to Australia’s allies from 1987 to 1997, Australia provided twenty-two Pacific Forum vessels to twelve nations.

Police Commissioner Matthew Varley says the new patrol boats is a huge step forward for the force and Solomon islands.

Mr Varley says the new boats will be bigger than the current ailing patrol boats, and have a more capabilities.

“The new Guardian class patrol boat is some 10 meters longer, and bigger than the current patrol boats, it has a large spread of capabilities , and a much larger range of sailing, ” he said.

“Its so big that we gonna have to upgrade the maritime base to fit it , and that work will go on this year.”

By: Lowen Sei. 

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