By Staff Writer
The Ministry of Police damaged Patrol Boat NAFANUA II is beyond repair and will probably end up in the scrap heap in Australia where it was built and also sent for repairs.
The $30m tala ‘Guardian-class patrol boat ran aground in August last year add was stuck on a reef inside the Salelologa Harbour in Savaii.
She was sent to transport support officers from Apia for emergency law and order duties during the unsettling times of politically incited threats of violence on the big island in the aftermath of the April 2021 general elections.
Too early yet to see where and when the need for a replacement patrol boat will go from here for Samoa.
The US Coast Guard has been helping out for now with patrolling duties of the national EEZ that includes having local police officers working on board.
“We have an MOU signed with the US in 2012 at the celebration of our 50th Independence to help provide us with this service while inside local waters,” Deputy Commissioner Auapaau Logoitino Filipo explained.
The NANAFUA II crew of 20 was a mix of men and women officers who are scheduled for onboard duties with the US Coast Guard boat is on patrol run.
Working with the Government of Samoa, crews from the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Juniper (WLB 201) and USCGC Joseph Gerczak (WPC 1126) conducted security patrol operations in Samoa’s exclusive economic zone throughout February 2022, to protect fisheries and other natural resources.
The Juniper and Joseph Gerczak crews helped fill the operational presence needed to deter illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing while Samoa’s Nafanua II patrol boat is down.
“We always look forward to assisting our partners in the region,” said Cmdr. Jeff Bryant, the 14th District’s chief of enforcement.
“The United States offered to assist the government of Samoa by providing security and sovereignty operations in Samoan waters due to the absence of their patrol boat.”
Deputy Commissioner Auapaau said the Ministry of Police have also been in talks with a local fishing company to have officers on board for official patrol policing runs at the borders in the coming months while they wait from Government .
In a joint statement on the sad fate of the NAFANUA II, both Australia and Samoa announced that “…ownership of the NAFANUA II is being transferred from the Government of Samoa to the Australian Government as we look at options for disposal.”
The statement did not make any firm commitment from Australia for a replacement vessel except it “…remains a committed maritime security partner for Samoa, continuing to provide support to ensure the ongoing protection of Samoa’s Exclusive Economic Zone, including through collaboration with regional partners.”
“Australia is working closely with Samoa to address Samoa’s maritime security needs. Australia is proud to partner with our Pacific family to enhance and coordinate continued maritime regional security.”
The NAFANUA II was commissioned in Australia in 2019 and sailed brand new into Apia to replace the NAFANUA I under the Pacific Patrol Boat Replacement Project as part of the Australian Government Pacific Maritime Security Programme.