Solomon Islands patrol boat RSIPV Lata helping distribute ballot boxes

The Solomon Islands’ patrol boat, RSIPV Lata, sailed into Port Vila on Thursday January 14, 2016 on loan from the Government of the Solomon Islands to help the Vanuatu Government transport ballot boxes and ballot papers to remote areas in time for the national elections on 22 January.

The Australian Government has funded the RSIPV Lata especially fuel for the boat to help transport the ballot boxes and ballot papers to remote polling stations of Vanuatu.

In his message published in the Daily Post this week, the Australian High Commissioner to Vanuatu, Jeremy Bruer, said Australia would assist Vanuatu with its elections.

Because the Vanuatu patrol boat, the RVS Tukoro, is still out of action since it was driven shore at Moso Island off West Efate by strong winds and waves at the height of Tropical Cyclone Pam in March last year, the Solomon Islands has sent its patrol boat RSIPV Lata to assist Vanuatu.

RSIPV Lata was gifted by the Australian Government such as RVS Tukoro.

Australia’s Defense Cooperation Program (DCP) in the Pacific islands includes a range of assistance, including ADF advisers, a range of training initiatives and bilateral exercises, capacity building initiatives, and equipment and infrastructure projects. A major commitment since the 1980s has been the Pacific Patrol Boat Program, with the provision of patrol boats, material support and Royal Australian Navy (RAN) maritime advisers to Pacific island nations.