POLICE patrol boat ‘Auki’ has returned yesterday after completing a “successful mission” in providing relief assistance to Vanuatu following the recent Cyclone PAM.
Police commissioner, Frank Prendergast on Thursday during the weekly police media conference, said the mission was very successful according to the Vanuatu government and other stakeholders there.
“It provided valuable support in removing people, supplies and other needed relief around Vanuatu, particularly given that their boat has been damaged by the cyclone.
“I think, that has positive impact on the relation between Vanuatu and Solomon Islands,” the police commissioner said.
He thanked the crew saying they have “performed extremely well”.
Mr Prendergast said, it is important because it is the first deployment of this type.
“It was great that Solomon Islands has helped its neighbour in their time of need and it showed that we have the capability and ability to do that and way the patrol boat performed when it got there has been first rated and it really added value to the relief effort.
Patrol boat Auki’s initial deployment schedule was for four weeks but it was further extended for another period of time following the request from the Vanuatu government.
Mr Prendergast said the patrol boat spent some eight weeks in Vanuatu.
Patrol Boat Auki was deployed to Port Vila, Vanuatu on a humanitarian mission after the devastating tropical cyclone Pam in March this year.
By ASSUMPTA BUCHANAN
