The Tongan Navy bid farewell to the VOEA Pangai navy patrol boat on 23 April after almost 30 years of service, operating within Tonga and internationally.

The ship’s ensign was lowered for the last time under the Component Commander of the Tonga Navy, Commander Taniela Tuita.

Members of the Tonga Navy as well as Defence Advisors from Australia attended the event.

The VOEA Pangai served on various assignments including peacekeeping missions in Bougainville in 1994, assistance to Niuafo’ou in 2009 following a tsunami, and support to Fiji in 2016 after Tropical Cyclone Winston.

When the VOEA Pangai first arrived in Tonga, it was commissioned by the late King Tupou IV, with the commissioning Commanding Officer, then HRH Lieutenant Commander ‘Ulukalala Lavaka Ata, now King Tupou VI. 

The ship was gifted by the Australian Government to Tonga under their Pacific Patrol Boat Program’s Defence Cooperation Program where 22 vessels were given to Pacific Island countries between 1987 and 1997.

Through this program, HMAF received a new guardian class patrol boat, VOEA Ngahau Koula (Golden Arrow), last year and later this year will receive VOEA Ngahau Siliva (Silver Arrow).

Australia is continuing to step up maritime security in the Pacific region under its recent $2 billion Pacific Maritime Security Program. Over the next 30 years, the program includes Pacific Patrol Boat replacement, integrated regional aerial surveillance, and efforts to strengthen regional coordination.