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What is the Pacific-class Patrol Boat?

This is a strong steel ship built in Australia starting in 1987. Australia gave these boats to island nations to help them protect their huge ocean areas. It was a key part of a plan to keep the Pacific region safe.

What was the main job of this ship?

The ship worked with the national police to watch over the seas. It chased away foreign boats that were fishing where they were not allowed. It also sailed out to find and rescue people who were lost or hurt at sea.

Did this ship fight in any wars?

These ships were never built to fight in wars. After the Solomon Islands became independent in 1978, the country decided not to have a regular army. These boats were strictly for keeping the peace and protecting the nation's borders.

What is a cool fact about the ship?

The first boat was named the RSIPV Lata and it arrived in 1988. It was run by a crew of local islanders who knew the deep waters better than anyone else. Because of their knowledge, they could guard their home waters very well.

Why is this ship important to history?

For many years, this was the biggest and most powerful security ship in the country. It helped the Solomon Islands stand on its own to protect its own waters. It proved that a small nation could effectively watch over its ocean territory.

Home Library Solomon IslandsPacific-class Patrol Boat

Patrol Vessel

Pacific-class Patrol Boat

A steel patrol vessel donated by Australia to protect the independent island nation's territorial waters and fisheries.

Solomon Islands Introduced 1987 Austal / Australian Defence IndustriesRole: Offshore maritime patrol and border protection

Specifications

Length

103 feet

Beam

26 feet

Top Speed

23 miles per hour (20 knots)

Crew

17 officers and sailors

Armament

One 12.7 mm heavy machine gun

The Pacific-class Patrol Boat of Solomon Islands

History

After gaining independence in 1978, the Solomon Islands chose not to create a military army, relying instead on its police force. To help protect its huge ocean borders during the late Cold War, Australia created the Pacific Patrol Boat Program to build tough, reliable naval vessels for its island neighbors.

In 1988, the Solomon Islands received its first vessel, named RSIPV Lata, operated by the maritime branch of the national police. Crewed entirely by local islanders, the ship patrolled remote lagoons, responded to maritime search and rescue calls, and stopped illegal foreign fishing boats.

Equipped with heavy deck machine guns, the ship protected national sovereignty and enforced maritime laws across thousands of miles of open sea. It served faithfully for decades as the largest and most capable security ship in the country.