(Redirected from Pacific-class patrol boat)
The 'Pacific Patrol Boat Program (PPB)' was created by
Australia to provide small neighbouring South
Pacific nations with a
maritime surveillance capability. The major result of this program is the creation and distribution of the 'Pacific-class patrol boat'.
Origins
In
1982 the
United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea created a
200
nautical mile (370 km)
exclusive
economic zone (EEZ) around coastal nations. This dramatically increased
the expanse of
ocean requiring surveillance, monitoring and policing.
South-west Pacific nations now had to police an area of ocean that was
far larger than their landmasses for most countries. The smaller nations
had insufficient or nonexistent resources for conducting these patrols, and
lacked funding and experience in which to create this capacity.
In
1979, at the request of Pacific island nations, the Australian and
New Zealand governments assessed the requirements for maritime patrol
and surveillance. A number of the Pacific island nations expressed
concern about the need for a suitable maritime patrol force to perform
the new surveillance requirements. The Australian government instituted
a 'Defence Co-operation Project' (DCP) in response to these concerns.
The purpose of the DCP was to provide suitable patrol vessels, associated
training, and infrastructure to island nations in the region.
The 'Pacific Patrol Boat Systems Program Office' was created within
the
Royal Australian Navy (RAN) procurement organisation to manage the DCP.
The project was formally announced by the Prime Minister,
Bob Hawke, to
the
South Pacific Forum held in
Canberra,
Australia 29-30 August
1983.
The PPB project is the largest and most complex defence co-operation project
ever funded by Australia. Twenty-two boats have been donated by Australia
to twelve recipient countries.
Design and construction
Australian Shipbuilding Industries Pty Ltd (now
Tenix Western Australia)
was awarded the contract for the design and construction of the patrol boats
in September
1985. The
Pacific Patrol Boat (PPB) has
a range of 2500 nautical miles (4630 km) at
12 knots (22 km/h), with a capability of more than 20 knots (37 km/h) for shorter durations.
Use
Generally, the PPBs are the only
fisheries enforcement surface assets
operated by the island nations. Aerial surveillance is limited, and
relies on Australian, New Zealand and some
French assistance.
The PPBs are also important for
search and rescue,
counterdrug, VIP,
disaster relief and
transportation missions.
Funding
The cost of the project to Australia as of
1999 has been A$249 million.
In total, the project cost for 22 vessels and associated support
was $A155.25 million.
Each recipient countries has funded most operating costs and the
US has also contributed to the operating costs of
some nations through the
Compact of Free Association.
Regional effects
The island countries have strongly supported the project. The project grew
from the initial ten vessels for five countries to twenty-two vessels in twelve countries.
Australia strategic interests in the region is more widely recognised, in
part due to the role of the Australian naval advisors stationed in each
country.
There have been many cases of operational co-operation between air assets
of Australia and New Zealand and the patrol boats of the various
nations. Not only have the economic interests of the various nations been
protected, but many rescue missions have also been performed.
The PPBs have assisted in regional monitoring, control and surveillance through the
South Pacific Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA).
Training
The training component of the PPB project is considered by the island states
to be one of the great benefits of the program. Most of the training is
provided by the
Australian Maritime College (AMC) in
Tasmania through its commercial arm, AMC Search Limited.
This training provides a pool of skilled
seamen to the recipient country.
AMC does not have a PPB to conduct the training. Rather, the TV ''Pinduro''
[1] is equipped with the same electronics as the PPBs.
Since
1998, the AMC has conducted 32 courses per year for the PPB Project.
The annual cost to the Australian government is approximately $A1.5 million. The contract was renewed for five years (
2006-
2010) and is worth approximately $A9 million.
Refits
Originally designed for a 15 year lifespan, with a refit schedule at the
7 year point, Australia announced in October
2000 the establishment
of a
program to extend the lifespan to 30 years, with additional refits at
the 15 year and 22 year points. The cost associated with this was estimated to be A$350 million.
Characteristics of the Pacific-class PB
While some varieties may exist, the following are general characteristics of
the
Pacific-class patrol boat
★ Displacement: 162 tons full load
★ Length: 31.5 m (103.3 ft)
★ Beam: 8.1 m (26.6 ft)
★ Draft: 2.1 m (6.9 ft)
★ Propulsion: 2 Caterpillar 3516TA diesels, 2820 hp (2.1 MW), 2 shafts
★ Speed: 20+ knots
★ Range: 2500 nautical miles (4630 km) at 12 knots (22 km/h)
★ Crew: 17
★ Armament: various small arms, depending on country in service. May include GAM-BO1 20 mm, 7.62 mm machine guns, 12.7 mm machine gun
Disposition
See also
★
List of naval ship classes in service
External references and links
★
"The Pacific Patrol Boat Project", Semaphone - Newsletter of the Sea Power Centre Australia Issue 2, Feb 2005
★
Anthony Bergin and Sam Bateman, "Law and Order at Sea in the South Pacific - The Contribution of the Pacific Patrol Boat Project", Australia and Security Cooperation in the Asia Pacific, AUS-CSCP Newsletter, No 8, April 1999
★
Hazegray World Navies Today
★
Australian Maritime College TV ''Pinduro''
★
South Pacific Forum Fisheries Agency
★
Pacific Patrol Boat Project Extended
★
Photo of ''Tukoro''
★
Tenix Pacific Patrol Boat
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