Image Gallery 2008
20 November 2008
Pacific Patrol Boat Program
Australia has provided twenty-two Pacific Patrol Boats to twelve Pacific Nations as part of the Pacific Patrol Boat Program, which is an initiative of the Defence Cooperation Program.
The role of the Pacific Patrol Boat Program is to assist Australia’s Pacific neighbours to independently patrol and protect their exclusive economic zones.
The patrol boats provide Pacific Island countries with a visible and effective maritime surveillance capability, as well as a search-and-rescue capability. They represent Australia’s most significant defence commitment to the South Pacific and illustrate Australia’s strong commitment to meeting the security challenges of the region.
Three Royal Australian Navy (RAN) personnel are posted to Honiara as operational and technical advisers as part of the Pacific Patrol Boat Program to assist the Maritime Unit of the Solomon Island Police Force (SIPF).
The team, led by Lieutenant Commander Scott Mason with Chief Petty Officer (CPO) Damien Dingle and CPO Matt Quigley, aim to assist in the development of sustainable maritime surveillance capabilities, whilst also providing assistance and support for personnel operating Pacific Patrol Boats.
The RAN has also provided infrastructure and support for the SIPF Maritime Unit through wharf and support facility construction.
Solomon Islands exclusive economic zones are one of the largest in the Pacific and the presence of the Pacific Patrol Boats has been effective in deterring illegal fishing.
| 20081107adf8185016_0011 The Solomon Islands Police Force Maritime Unit Operations Centre is a hive of activity as the officers maintain watch on the surrounding waters with the help of the Royal Australian Navy maritime surveillance advisory team. (Date taken: 15 October 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20081107adf8185016_0018 Royal Australian Navy, Chief Petty Officer Damien Dingle (left), watches on as Senior Sergeant Harold Reggie tracks the movements of registered fishing vessels in the region from the new Solomon Islands Police Force Maritime Unit Operations Centre. (Date taken: 15 October 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20081107adf8185016_0031 Solomon Islands Police Force (SIPF), Constable Jimmy Kubukana, updates a shipping log in the new SIPF Maritime Unit Operations Centre. (Date taken: 15 October 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20081107adf8185016_0034 Royal Australian Navy, Lieutenant Commander Scott Mason (left), assists Solomon Islands Police Force (SIPF) Maritime Unit, Constable Jimmy Kubukana, in the new SIPF Maritime Unit Operations Centre. (Date taken: 15 October 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20081107adf8185016_0042 Solomon Islands Police Force (SIPF) Maritime Unit, Senior Sergeant Luke Vaikawi, plots the position of a fishing vessel in the new SIPF Maritime Unit Operations Centre. (Date taken: 15 October 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20081107adf8185016_0076 Solomon Islands Police Force Maritime Unit, Patrol Boat Captain, Senior Sergeant Luke Vaikawi (left) gives the order to sail with Constable Edwin Talah (centre) manning the helm. (Date taken: 15 October 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20081107adf8185016_0096 Solomon Islands Police Force (SIPF) Maritime Unit, Constable Edwin Talah, checks the water ahead prior to commencing a patrol from the SIPF Maritime Unit base in Honiara, Solomon Islands. (Date taken: 07 November 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20081107adf8185016_0100 Solomon Islands Police Force (SIPF) Maritime Unit, Senior Sergeant Luke Vaikawi, delivers a brief on the progress of Operation KURUKURU 08 in the new SIPF Maritime Unit Operations Centre. (Date taken: 07 November 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20081107adf8185016_0124 Royal Australian Navy, Chief Petty Officer Damien Dingle (right) and Solomon Islands Police Force (SIPF) Maritime Unit, Constable Jimmy Kubukana, at the newly renovated SIPF Maritime Unit Operations Centre in Honiara. (Date taken: 07 November 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20081107adf8185016_0148 Solomon Islands Police Force (SIPF) Maritime Unit, Senior Sergeant Luke Vaikawi and Constable Jimmy Kubukana chat as they walk along the newly refurbished wharf at the SIPF Maritime Unit base in Honiara. (Date taken: 07 November 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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| 20081107adf8185016_0162 The Royal Australian Navy maritime surveillance advisory team posted to the Solomon Islands Police Force Maritime Unit onboard a Pacific Patrol Boat. L-R: Chief Petty Officer Matt Quigley, Lieutenant Commander Scott Mason and Chief Petty Officer Damien Dingle. (Date taken: 07 November 2008) Low-Res | Hi-Res |
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