RKS Teanoai II

RKS Teanoai II (301) is a Guardian-class patrol boat in service with the Kiribati Maritime Police. She was given to the Republic of Kiribati by Australia as part of the Pacific Maritime Security Program, in which Australia donates patrol boats to neighbouring Pacific Island nations in order to improve regional maritime security.[3] She was the eighth boat of her class when launched in April 2020, but became the eleventh to be delivered due to delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. She was officially handed over to the Kiribati police crew at the Austal shipyard in Henderson, Western Australia on 18 June 2021, replacing the 27-year-old Pacific-class patrol boat RKS Teanoai as the small island nation's sole maritime security craft.[1][4]

Bajamar Express and RKS Teanoai II (301) at Austal shipyards in Henderson, Western Australia, April 2020 01.jpg
RKS Teanoai II at Austal shipyards in Henderson, September 2020.
History
Kiribati
NameRKS Teanoai II
OperatorKiribati Maritime Police
Port of registryTarawa
Yard number528
Launched20-23 April 2020[1]
Acquired18 June 2021[2]
In service2021–present
HomeportTarawa
Identification
StatusIn service
General characteristics
TypePatrol boat
Length39.5 m (129 ft 7 in)
Beam8 m (26 ft 3 in)
Draught2.5 m (8 ft 2 in)
Propulsion2 × Caterpillar 3516C diesels, 2 shafts
Speed20 knots (37 km/h; 23 mph)
Range3,000 nmi (5,600 km; 3,500 mi) at 12 knots (22 km/h; 14 mph)
Complement23
Sensors and
processing systems
  • X-band radar
  • differential GPS
  • gyrocompass
  • depth sounding machine
  • Electronic Chart Display and Information System
  • autopilot

Background
Pacific-class patrol boat
Pacific class RKS Teanoai
Main articles: RKS Teanoai and Guardian-class patrol boat § Background

Following the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, the Pacific Islands nations found themselves in need of capable yet economical vessels to patrol their exclusive economic zones. In an effort to improve regional maritime security as well as diplomatic relations with the island states, the Australian government launched the Pacific Patrol Boat Program in 1983, in which they would build and gift 22 Pacific-class patrol boats to 12 Pacific Island nations over the next 14 years.[5] The patrol boats were built with commercial off-the-shelf-components in order to ease maintenance costs for the island nations. Australia remained involved with maintaining the class for the next three decades, with a refit after 15 years of operation.

The RKS Teanoai was delivered to Kiribati in 1994.[4][6] She was decommissioned on 5 May 2021, in a ceremony attended by the Australian High Commissioner to Kiribati, David Yardley.[7]

The Australian government announced the Pacific Patrol Boat Replacement Project on 17 June 2014.[8] A contract for the construction of at least 19 boats and an initial seven-year maintenance and support period was signed with Austal on 4 May 2016.[9][10][11] The keel of the first vessel was laid on 30 July 2017, before she was launched on 30 May 2018.[11][12][13][14][15]

Design
Guardian-class patrol boat
PSS Remeliik II (left) and RKS Teanoai II at Austal shipyards in Henderson, September 2020.
Main article: Guardian-class patrol boat § Design

The Guardian class uses a steel monohull design based on that of the Bay class, which had been in service with the Australian Border Force since 1999.[9][16] The patrol boats are 39.5 metres (129 ft 7 in) long with two habitable internal decks below the bridge.[5] They are capable of traveling 3,000 nautical miles (5,600 km; 3,500 mi) at 12 knots (22 km/h; 14 mph), and have a maximum speed of 20 knots (37 km/h; 23 mph). They have two Caterpillar 3516C 2,000-kilowatt (2,700 hp) diesel engines powering two fixed-pitch propellers.[11][17] A key design goal being ease of maintenance to accommodate small and isolated shipyards, the class uses commercial off-the-shelf components.[11]

In addition to the commanding officer's quarters, the boats have seven living quarters designed to berth 20 crew members. Three of them are staterooms that have their own showers in order to accommodate a mixed-sex crew. They also have a sick bay with a separate ventilation system, which during normal operations is used as two berths, bringing the total complement up to 23.[5][18]

The vessels have a stern launching ramp for a WRH635 fast rescue boat.[5][11][16][19] These are SOLAS-certified rigid-hulled inflatable boats designed to carry up to 15 persons. They are 6.35 metres (20 ft 10 in) long, with two Yamaha 67 kW (90 hp) outboard motors and an operational weight of 2,612.5 kilograms (5,760 lb).[20][21] The stern is also equipped with a port side crane serving a 16-square-metre (170 sq ft) cargo deck.[11][17]

Australia instructed that the boats would be delivered without armament, but they were designed to be capable of mounting an autocannon of up to 30 millimetres (1.2 in) on their foredeck, and a 0.50-calibre machine gun both port and starboard in front of the bridge.[5]

In June 2022, three design flaws were reported in the media. This included cracking in the coupling between the engine and the gear box, the sick bay ventilation system recirculating air and an exhaust leak causing carbon monoxide to enter the normally non-crewed engine compartment.[22][23][24]

Delivery

The Teanoai II was the eighth Guardian-class patrol boat to be launched by Austal, between 20 April and 23 April 2020, and was originally scheduled to be delivered to the Kiribati Police Maritime Unit later in the summer.[4] However, the Kiribati police crew were at the time unable to collect her due to Covid-19 travel policies, which pushed her delivery into 2021.[1][2]

She was eventually given to Kiribati in a certificate signing ceremony in Henderson on 18 June 2021, and thus became the eleventh boat of her class. In attendance were, among others, Mr Vince Connelly (MP for Stirling) and Mr Paul Wenham (Honorary Consul General to Kiribati), along with the Teanoai II's first commanding officer, Superintendent Tom Redfern, and the rest of her new crew.[2][25]

She arrived in her home port of Tarawa in mid-August, having sailed via Cairns and the Solomon Islands.[26]

Operational history

References
  1. Arun Mathew (24 April 2020). "Austal Launches 8th Guardian-Class Patrol Boat". Defpost. Archived from the original on 26 April 2020. Retrieved 26 April 2020. The vessel is to be delivered to Kiribati under the Australian Government's Pacific Maritime Security Program. The boat, to be named RKS Teanoai II (301), will replace the Republic of Kiribati Police's Pacific Forum-class patrol boat, RKS Teanoai (301).
  2. Morse, Cameron (18 June 2021). "AUSTAL AUSTRALIA DELIVERS 11TH GUARDIAN CLASS PATROL BOAT" (Press release). Henderson, Western Australia: Austal. Archived from the original on 18 June 2021. Retrieved 23 November 2022. The Teanoai II was originally scheduled for delivery in the middle of 2020, but due to the COVID19 pandemic was postponed until such time as we could get the Kiribati crew safely into Australia, [...] While the delivery of this particular vessel was postponed, it did not affect, delay or hinder the construction or delivery of subsequent Guardian-class Patrol Boats
  3. Patrick Bergin (24 November 2019). "Security challenges rule the waves in Pacific". The Australian. Retrieved 24 November 2019. Next year Fiji, Palau, Kiribati and Tonga will receive their boats. Following this, a new patrol boat will be delivered approximately every three months until 2023. Australia has committed $2bn to the program over the next 30 years.
  4. "Kiribati receives new Guardian-class patrol boat from Australia". Asia-Pacific Defense Journal. 21 June 2021. Archived from the original on 29 July 2021. Retrieved 24 November 2021. originally scheduled for delivery in mid-2020, but was delayed due to COVID-19 pandemic concerns.The new boat will replace the RKS Teanoai, a Pacific-class patrol boat delivered in 1994 also as a donation by the Australian Government.
  5. "Australia's Defence Engagement in the Pacific: 2016 Defence White Paper". Australian Navy. 2016. Archived from the original on 22 January 2018. Retrieved 22 April 2018. The Pacific Patrol Boats are gifted by Australia as sovereign assets, and have enabled Pacific Island countries to take an active role in securing their own borders and resources – to the benefit of the region overall. The PPBs are used to undertake a wide range of tasks, from fisheries enforcement, to Search and rescue, to movement of ballot boxes.
  6. "Kiribati to operate 11th Australian-built Guardian-class patrol boat". Baird Maritime. 22 June 2021. Archived from the original on 23 June 2021. Retrieved 23 November 2022. Teanoai II is the 11th Guardian-class patrol boat to be built and the first to be handed over to Kiribati. It will replace a similarly named patrol boat that has been operating with the Kiribati Police Service since 1994.
  7. "Australian High Commission, Kiribati". Facebook. Australian High Commission, Kiribati. 9 May 2021. Retrieved 23 November 2022. first sailed the waters of Kiribati in the year 1994. As caring as the name itself, Teanoai [...] On 5th May 2021, spending a few final moments with RKS Teanoai as she was decommissioned [...] The Australian High Commissioner HE David Yardley, was delighted to participate in a fitting farewell
  8. "Maritime security strengthened through Pacific Patrol Boat Program" (Press release). Australian Government: Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Defence. 17 June 2014. Archived from the original on 1 August 2014.
  9. Paddy, Gregg (2 August 2021). "Austal Australia delivers 12th Guardian Class Patrol Boat" (Press release). Henderson, Western Australia: Austal. Archived from the original on 2 August 2021. Retrieved 26 October 2022. under the Pacific Patrol Boat Replacement Project (SEA3036-1), part of the Australian Government's Pacific Maritime Security Program; and replaces the RVS Tukoro, a Pacific-class Patrol Boat delivered in 1987. Alt URL
  10. "Minister for Defence - Contract signed for replacement Pacific Patrol Boats". Department of Defence (Press release). 4 May 2016. Archived from the original on 24 September 2018. Retrieved 22 September 2017. As part of the $280 million (ex-GST) contract Austal will design and construct the first 19 vessels in Henderson, securing more than 120 jobs for Western Australia.
  11. "Austal Pacific Patrol Boat 40". Naval Technology. 14 December 2018. Archived from the original on 22 July 2018. Retrieved 21 January 2018. Under the contract, Austal will offer support services to the replacement patrol boats initially for seven years.
  12. "Keel laying for first Pacific Patrol Boat replacement". Monch Publishing Group. 30 July 2017. Archived from the original on 23 April 2018. Retrieved 23 April 2018. The new 'Guardian' class patrol boats will come to replace the 12 Pacific Island nations' ageing 'Pacific' class patrol boats, which had been gifted by Australia under the PPB programme implemented in 1983. The first vessel is scheduled for delivery to Papua New Guinea, who will receive a total of four patrol boats, by October 2018 and the last vessel is scheduled for delivery by 2023.
  13. Minister for Defence Industry (31 July 2017). "Pacific Patrol Boat Milestone". Department of Defence (Press release). Archived from the original on 24 September 2018. Retrieved 22 September 2017. Another milestone has been reached in Australia's continuous naval shipbuilding program with a ceremonial keel laying for the first new Pacific Patrol Boat.
  14. David Sigston (30 May 2018). "Austal launches first Pacific Patrol Boat". News (AU). Archived from the original on 31 May 2018. Retrieved 1 June 2018. The first of a new fleet of patrol boats destined for Australia's Pacific neighbours has been launched by Australian shipbuilder Austal.
  15. Whiting, Gemma (30 May 2018). "AUSTAL LAUNCHES FIRST GUARDIAN CLASS PACIFIC PATROL BOAT". Austal (Press release). Henderson, Australia. Archived from the original on 14 October 2022. Retrieved 14 October 2022. Austal [...] today announced the first of 21 Guardian Class, Pacific Patrol Boats (PPB-R) has been launched just two years after the contract was awarded, keeping with the schedule and budget for the project. [...] with a further contract awarded in April, 2018 for two additional vessels for AU$29.7 million.
  16. "Guardian Class Patrol Boat (Austal Patrol 40)". austal.com. Austal. 4 May 2016. Archived from the original on 24 September 2022. Retrieved 3 June 2022.
  17. "Austal Pacific Patrol Boat 40" (PDF). Austal. May 2016. Archived (PDF) from the original on 24 September 2018. Retrieved 21 January 2018. Austal will design, construct and deliver the 19 steel-hulled patrol boats (valued at $280 million) to 12 Pacific Island nations. The contract includes an option for two additional vessels.
  18. Sapeer Mayron (15 August 2018). "Maritime police get $113,535 boost". Samoa Observer. Archived from the original on 22 August 2018. Retrieved 18 August 2018. The change rooms are a necessary addition because in August 2019, the wing will receive an Australian government-funded Guardian Class Patrol Boat, which will be used by both male and female police.
  19. Michael Arnold (5 February 2019). "Patrol Boats Set To Upgrade Capabilities". Fiji Post Courier. Archived from the original on 7 February 2019. Retrieved 5 February 2019. They are capable of operating in Sea State 4 and are equipped with a "game changing" stern-launched zodiac (inflatable boarding vessel), which is a first for both the PNG and the Australian navy.
  20. "WRH635 fast rescue boat 15 persons". dewolfmaritime.com. De Wolf Maritime. Retrieved 27 October 2022. The WRH635FRB [...] developed as a 15 persons Fast Rescue Boat for Survey and Stand-By vessels. [...] Overall length: 6.35 m Overall width: 2.80 m [...] Weight operational (including 15 persons and 2 x 90 HP engine): 2.612,5 kg
  21. The Shephard News Team (16 March 2022). "Micronesia receives first Guardian-class patrol boat with another to come". Shephard Media. Christchurch. Archived from the original on 16 March 2022. Retrieved 14 October 2022. 11 March. FSS Tosiwo Nakayama is one of two 39.5m-long Guardian-class boats destined for the Federated States of Micronesia under the Pacific Patrol Boat Replacement Project. Each Guardian-class vessel carries a fast rescue boat powered by two 90hp Yamaha outboard motors, deployed and retrieved by a launch and recovery system fitted at the stern. The vessels are also armed with a 30mm calibre gun along with optional 0.50cal general-purpose machine guns.
  22. "Vanuatu's Australian-supplied patrol boat awaiting repairs". Radio New Zealand. Port Vila, Vanuatu. 4 July 2022. Archived from the original on 4 July 2022. Retrieved 31 October 2022. Vanuatu's patrol boat RVS Takuare remains docked at the SinoVan wharf in Port Vila where it has been since the second week of June because of an engine defect. [...] was producing carbon monoxide, and black smoke could be seen on the covering of the exhaust. The commander said he didn't want to risk continuing using the Takuare because the emissions could harm the team in the engine room
  23. Hurst, Daniel (30 June 2022). "Serious defects discovered in patrol boats Australia supplied to Pacific Islands". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 30 June 2022. Retrieved 12 October 2022. Pacific island countries may halt the use of Australian-provided patrol boats after potentially serious defects were discovered, in a blow to a $2.1bn maritime security program. [...] medical bay in the vessel uses recirculated air, rather than fresh air. [...] fault in the exhaust system. It is understood carbon monoxide was entering a compartment.
  24. Arthur, Gordon (6 July 2022). "Questions raised over Australia's Guardian ship". Shephard Media. Christchurch. Archived from the original on 9 July 2022. Retrieved 14 October 2022. Technical faults have been reported in patrol boats being donated by Australia to its Pacific neighbours. Austal Australia is building 22 Guardian-class patrol boats for Pacific nations, but faults have been identified that have seen a number of vessels awaiting rectification. The chief problem relates to the type's exhaust system.
  25. "Patrol boat handed to Kiribati". defence.gov.au (Press release). Henderson, Western Australia: Australian Department of Defence. 25 June 2021. Retrieved 23 November 2022. RKS Teanoai II is the 11th vessel to be delivered across the Pacific under the program. Alongside Honorary Consul General for Kiribati Paul Wenham, Commanding Officer Superintendent Tom Redfern accepted RKS Teanoai II on June 18 on behalf of the Government of Kiribati in a ceremony at Henderson, Western Australia.
  26. "In brief: news from around the Pacific". South-West Pacific: Radio New Zealand. 14 August 2021. Archived from the original on 13 August 2021. Retrieved 23 November 2022. The Kiribati Newsroom reports the RKS Teanoai II arrived in Kiribati waters this week after a long journey from Western Australia through Cairns and Solomon Islands.
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