Tonga Navy's new patrol boat, the VOEA Ngahau Siliva which arrived from Australia on December 16, remains quarantined with 22-crew at the Nuku'alofa harbour.

The Australian made Guardian-class vessel gifted by the Australian Government, departed Cairns, after the crew tested negative for COVID-19.

Minister of Health Hon Dr ‘Amelia Tu'ipulotu said today, the crew will remain quarantined at sea for 14-days. They will be monitored by the Health Surveillance team who will carry out their final test, after the quarantine period.

It is understood that the patrol boat arrived in the capital earlier than scheduled, due to Severe Tropical Cyclone Yasa (Cat. 5) strengthening in the region.

The patrol boat was handed over to Tonga's High Commissioner to Australia Princess Angelika Latufuipeka Tuku’aho on October 30 at Henderson, Western Australia, with Australia’s Minister for Defence, Linda Reynolds present.

Meanwhile, the new patrol boat aimed to enhance Tonga’s maritime capability is part of the Australian Government’s Pacific Maritime Security Program.

This is the second Guardian-class patrol boat for Tonga and the eighth for the Pacific.