By Tupou Vaipulu Jr

The Australian Pacific Support Ship, ADV Reliant is docked at Vuna Wharf today, 4 June 2024, to deliver aid containers for the Government of Australia in support of Australian disaster relief projects in Tonga.

Lieutenant Commander BJ Glover said the Reliant arrived to support a number of Australian Government tasks, delivered through Australian Aid Containers that are part of the foundation works conducted in Tonga by Australia.

DFAT representatives, on a private tour of the vessel this morning, said that some of the materials in the containers included building equipment to aid in the renovation of the Ālonga Centre and aid release supplies for the NDRMO.

LCdr Glover said that although the ADV Reliant is a naval ship, it was not militarized and was not equipped for defence purposes, such as intercepting vessels.

“Because we are not a full defence vessel we also don’t do interception, we do surveillance and reporting and we make assessments on vessels,” he said

ADV Reliant is focussed on supporting different initiatives, including climate security, food security, maritime security and everything that revolves around it.

The ship will enhance regional search and rescue, maritime surveillance, transport of essential cargo, and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief capabilities, while also providing support to training, regional engagement and capacity building activities.

At 102 metres long, the ADV Reliant has a large cargo deck, heavy duty crane, and can produce thousands of litres of fresh water per day to provide targeted and effective support.

The vessel holds 25 people, including five officers consisting of four sailors and liaison officer, and 20 contracted vessel operators, including paramedics, two chefs and others.

The ADV Reliant will depart Nuku'alofa for Samoa tomorrow Wednesday, then sail to Tuvalu, Solomon Islands and back to Australia to collect more cargo.

LCdr Glover said that they worked 300 days at sea and travelled approximately 40,000 knots mph and, provided aid to over 80% of the Pacific Island nations last year.

This is the ADV Reliant’s second trip to Tonga. Its first visit provided aid to Tonga on 5 December 2022, after the HTHH volcanic eruption and during the COVID-19 outbreak.