RVS Tukoro

RVS Tukoro is a Pacific Forum patrol boat that performs fishery protection, search and rescue and sovereignty patrols for Vanuatu.[1] Tukoro is one of twenty-two small patrol vessels Australia designed and built for smaller fellow members of the Pacific Forum, after the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea extended control of a 200-kilometre (110 nmi) exclusive economic zone for all maritime nations.[2][3]

Tukoro moored in Townsville in 2004.
History
Vanuatu
Name: Tukoro
Status: Ship in active service
General characteristics
Class and type: Pacific Forum-class patrol boat
Displacement: 162 tons
Length: 103 ft (31 m)

Design

Tukoro, like her sister ships, displaces approximately 160 tonnes, and can accommodate a crew of eighteen for missions lasting ten days or less.[1][4] The vessel's maximum speed is 24 knots (44 km/h; 28 mph). Australia chose commercial off the shelf equipment, instead of cutting edge military-grade equipment, to ease the maintenance burden for small nations' maintenance facilities.

Operational history

Tukoro was severely damaged on March 14, 2015 by Hurricane Pam.[2][4] Hurricane Pam was extremely severe, with winds up to 320 kilometres per hour (200 mph).[5] Tukoro was washed ashore on Moso Island. Australia offered to repair the vessel, and provide further training to Vanuatu personnel. The repairs took approximately sixteen months, and the vessel returned to service on August 23, 2016.

In February and March 2017 Tukoro engaged in a joint fishery protection operation with her sister ship from the Solomon Islands, RSIPV Lata.[6] In September 2017 Tukoro helped provide disaster relief to evacuees after the Ambae volcano eruption.[7]

Australia is scheduled to replace Tukoro was a larger and more capable Guardian-class patrol boat in 2021.[1]

References
  1. "Police Force Maritime Wing". Global Security. Retrieved 11 June 2018. RVS Tukoro was handed over to the Vanuatu government on September 1987 and in 1988 was the establishment of the Maritime surveillance center.
  2. "Vanuatu welcomes the return of RVS Tukoro". Island Life magazine. 24 August 2016. Retrieved 11 June 2018. As part of the Australian Government’s continued assistance to Vanuatu’s recovery from the devastation of Tropical Cyclone Pam, it funded RVS Tukoro’s repairs and additional training at an approximate cost of 215 million vatu (AU$2.7million). RVS Tukoro has now been returned to Vanuatu in optimal operational condition and will resume her role in protecting Vanuatu’s maritime borders and protecting its valuable marine recourses.
  3. Dave Morley (3 December 2015). "Lifelines across Pacific" (PDF). Navy News. 58 (23). p. 8. Retrieved 12 August 2018. The program involves 22 Australian-gifted patrol boats to 12 Pacific island countries, the majority of which are operated by police services.
  4. Jonas Cullwick (15 March 2015). "Technical assessment on RVS Tukoro completed". Vanuata Daily Post. Retrieved 11 June 2018. 'This is the first time for such a boat to face a Category 5 cyclonic condition and I am glad with the way the Captain and his 17-man crew put the ship ashore at a place where it is safe and no life was lost in the operation.'
  5. Dave Morley (3 December 2015). "PPB on mend after cyclone" (PDF). Navy News. 58 (23). p. 9. Retrieved 12 August 2018. According to LCDR Lewis, the Tukoro was left sitting dead flat on the beach and suffered damage to the propeller shafts and rudders and some damage to the hull itself, although it wasn’t holed.
  6. "RSIPV Lata back from 'Operation Solvan'". Solomon Freshbeat. 16 March 2017. Retrieved 16 June 2018. RSIPV LATA, commanded by Staff Sergeant Harold Reggie, teamed with Republic of Vanuatu Ship (RVS) TUKORO, commanded by Superintendent Eddie Kalokul of the Vanuatu Police Maritime Wing, to lead a surveillance mission encompassing the south eastern section of Vanuatu’s EEZ.
  7. Anita Roberts (27 September 2017). "Vanuatu rescuers face tough challenges over Ambae volcano evacuation". Asia Pacific Report. Port Vila, Vanuatu. Retrieved 11 June 2018. The water containers were transported by the patrol boat RVS Tukoro, which left Port Vila last night with shelter equipment and Red Cross Officers who will be conducting hygiene education and awareness in evacuation centers. The Tukoro will also be delivering donated items from the Port Vila Ambae community, including from Vanuatu Mobile Force personnel.
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