The Guardian-class patrol boat RFNS Puamau will no longer be salvaged for operation as it will be decommissioned.
This has been confirmed by Minister for Home Affairs and Immigration, Pio Tikoduadua who said experts would now focus on securely detaching the vessel to ensure environmental safety.
“RFNS Puamau is not going to come online again,” he said.
“Which means that it’s going to be decommissioned. The navy and the experts are looking at the best way to remove the boat safely.”
The RFNS Puamau arrived in the country earlier this year, in January, with support from Australia through the Pacific Maritime Security Program and Vuvale Partnership.
The vessel was expected to boost maritime security.
In May, RFNS Puamau was commissioned by Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka, and a month later the patrol boat had run aground on a reef at Fulaga Island.
Three weeks after the grounding incident, following two weeks of salvage operation, the $20 million vessel was finally towed to safe passage with the assistance of the Australian government through company Perrott Salvage and Construction Pty Ltd.
A Board of Inquiry was established shortly afterwards by the RFMF to investigate the incident, in which the findings revealed significant breaches, negligence, and non-adherence in the application of professional and accepted best bridge management by the commanding officer and his command team.
Media reports stated, those responsible would be taken to task.
