AUSTRALIA & SOLOMONS PROVIDE NAVAL ASSISTANCE TO VANUATU
The RSIPF Patrol boat birthing at the Aola Base. Photo credit: SIBC.
Australia and Solomon Islands will be providing naval assistance to Vanuatu for its national election this Friday.
Early this month, the Royal Solomon Islands Police Vessel Lata and crew departed Honiara for Port Vila.
A statement from the Australian High Commission office in Honiara today says the vessel will replace Vanuatu’s Pacific Patrol Boat, Tukoro, which was damaged during Tropical Cyclone Pam. Australia has funded the deployment of the vessel Lata.
Australian Defense Adviser, Lieutenant Colonel Richard Watson said they are always keen to promote regional cooperation.
Mr Watson said the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force has provided magnificent support to Vanuatu in the aftermath of Cyclone Pam, deploying a Pacific Patrol Boat for over a month to help the people of Vanuatu.
He said this mission is one of the many operations conducted throughout the Solomon Islands this year.