The original patrol boats were designed for a lifetime of approximately thirty years, and, prior to reaching this date, Australia designed and started building replacement vessels. The Guardian-classpatrol vessels are larger, and more capable than the original vessels. But, like the original Pacific Forum boats, they were designed to use commercial off-the-shelf components, so they would be easier to maintain in small isolated shipyards.
The handover was delayed due to the quarantine of the Palauan crew in order prevent the spread of COVID-19.[4][5][6]
Operational career
Remeliik II was commissioned on December 4, 2020.[7]
On December 15, 2020, The Guardian reported that the Remeliik II detained a Chinese fishing vessel for illegal fishing.[8] 225 kilograms (496 lb) of sea cucumbers was found on board the fishing vessel. Sea cucumbers can be sold for $800 per kilogram, in Asian markets.
The detention of the vessel raised potential health concerns. At that time, in December 2020, Palau had been one of a very small number of countries that had no confirmed cases of COVID-19.[8] The crew of the Chinese vessel were placed in quarantine. Palauan health officials were concerned that laying charges against the Chinese crew, and trying them would expose Palauans to a high risk of infection.
References
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Rhealyn Pojas (2019-10-03). "Australia to give new ship to Palau to replace Remeliik 1". Island Times. Archived from the original on 2019-10-05. Retrieved 2019-10-05. President Tommy Remengesau, Jr. divulged during a press conference on October 2 that the guardian class patrol boat Remeliik 2, which will replace its predecessor, the PSS Remeliik, will arrive in Palau in June next year.
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Charbel Kadib (2020-09-18). "Palau to acquire Guardian Class patrol boat". Defence Connect. Archived from the original on 2020-10-24. Retrieved 2020-09-18. Defence Industry Minister Melissa Price will officially hand over the latest Guardian Class patrol boat on behalf of the Commonwealth government to the Republic of Palau, as the government's Pacific Step Up program continues to progress.
^"Austal Australia delivers 7th Guardian-Class patrol boat". Manufacturer's Monthly. 2020-09-22. Archived from the original on 2020-10-25. Retrieved 2020-09-24. Faster, with improved seakeeping, better amenities and an enhanced mission capability – including an integrated stern launch and recovery system – the Guardian-class Patrol Boat(s) provide the Palau Bureau of Maritime Security with a much improved naval asset to carry out border patrols, regional policing, search and rescue and many other operations domestically and internationally.
^"Austal delivers seventh Guardian-class Patrol Boat (GCPB) to the Australian Department of Defence". Austal. Sydney. 2020-09-18. Archived from the original on 2020-10-02. Retrieved 2020-09-22. We are fortunate, however, to be able to hand over this impressive new ship to the very proud and capable Palau crew, who have diligently observed all necessary COVID-19 safe protocols and procedures while completing a comprehensive training program that Austal provides, here in Western Australia.
^"Austal Delivers Palau Patrol Boat". Marine Link. 2020-09-18. Archived from the original on 2020-10-31. Retrieved 2020-09-22. Austal Chief Executive David Singleton said this Guardian-class Patrol Boat delivery was unique as it is the first to take place under COVID-19 restrictions.
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Julian Douglas (2020-09-20). "Austal (ASX:ASB) delivers 7th Guardian-class vessel". The Market Herald. Archived from the original on 2020-11-03. Retrieved 2020-09-22. 'While we are indeed celebrating the delivery of this latest Guardian-class Patrol Boat, we are obviously missing the presence of a number of special guests we would normally have here, from both Palau and Canberra,' David said.
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