The patrol launch MALU BAIZAM and her ship's company may be arguably the smallest unit in the Royal Australian Navy but in recent weeks it has been doing some good work.

Detonation of a WW 2 shell, destruction of a Type 3 fishing boat and delivery of hospital supplies to a town on the southern shores of PNG, have kept the Thursday Island-based launch, busy.

Commanded by the RNOTI, LCDR Jeff Williams, MALU BAIZAM embarked POCD Brad Stafford and LSCD Troy Miles from HMAS CAIRNS, to go to Albany Island.

Residents of the Albany Island Pearl Farm had found a vintage 5 inch projectile from WW 2 on the beach and uncomfortably close to their home.

They asked the RAN to do something about it.

The launch took Brad and Troy to the island where they inspected the device and deemed it should be destroyed in situ.

The device was sandbagged, the area cleared and then the tranquillity shattered briefly as a sympathetic charge disposed of the shell.

LCDR Williams returned to Thursday Island, refuelled his craft and then headed out again this time to Deliverance Island north-west of Torres Strait.

An Indonesian Type 3 fishing boat had been left on the island after its crew had been apprehended a few weeks earlier for fishing illegally in Australian waters.

A guilty verdict in Darwin Court resulted in the confiscation of the vessel.

Because of environmental and quarantine concerns, ie black striped mussels, the ticking in mattresses and marine borers, it was decided to destroy the boat where she lay.

MALU BAIZAM took Federal Police and Fisheries officers to the island where they found the FFV high and dry.

The boat was burnt.

In earlier work, LCDR Williams and his team provided logistical support to Charlie Company of the 51st North Queensland Regiment.

The patrol launch then carried hospital equipment and medical supplies, surplus to requirements of the Thursday Island Hospital, to Daru on the southern coast of PNG.

PNG medical authorities eagerly accepted the stores.