Tuvalu Gets New Patrol Boat

Tuvalu now has a new patrol boat, a Guardian Class, thanks to the Australian Government. Enele Sopoaga, the Tuvalu prime minister and members of his government attended the handing over ceremony in Western Australia.

According to reports, the vessel will be used by the maritime surveillance unit of the Tuvalu Police Force. The Te Mataili II is the second patrol boat to be given to a Pacific Island nation under Australia's Pacific Maritime Security Program's Pacific Patrol Boat Replacement project.

Christopher Pyne, Australia's Defense Minister said the country would give 19 more patrol boats to 12 Pacific Island countries over the next few years.