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Patrol boat VOEA Ngahau Koula (P 301)

Patrol boat VOEA Ngahau Koula (P 301) 0Patrol boat VOEA Ngahau Koula (P 301) 1Patrol boat VOEA Ngahau Koula (P 301) 2

Classification

Ship class:
Guardian-class patrol boat
Type:
Patrol boat

Basic information

Operator:
Tongan Maritime ForceTongan Maritime Force
Country of build:
Builder:
Austal
Commissioned (service):
Status:
Active
IMO number:
4734128
MMSI number:
570315000

Ship measurements

Length:
39.5 m
Beam:
8 m
Draft:
0.76 m

Machine

Propulsion:
  • 2 * Caterpillar 3516C diesels
  • 2 * 2000 kW and 1600 rpm
  • 2 * shafts
Speed:
20 knots
Range:
3,000 nautical miles (5,600 km; 3,500 mi) at 12 knots (22 km/h; 14 mph)

Personnel

Complement:
23

Combat assets

Boats & landing craft:
  • 1 * Work Ribs (WRH635FRB)
Electronics:
  • Communication system:
  • VHF/DSC Radios, MF/HF DSC
  • Radios, VHF Aeroband Radio,
  • UHF Military Radio, Inmarsat C,
  • SatCom,HF and VHF Radio
  • Direction Finder
  • Navigation:
  • X-Band Radar, Electronic Chart
  • System, DGPS, Gyrocompass,
  • Autopilot, Depth Sounder
Armament:
  • Space and weight reservation for a 30mm main gun
  • Port and Starboard mounts for 0.50 calibre GPMG

VOEA Ngahau Koula (P301) is a Guardian-class patrol vessel designed and built for the Tonga Maritime Force by Australia. After the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea established that all maritime nation were entitled to exercise control over a 200-kilometre (120 mi) exclusive economic zone, Australia agreed to give small patrol boats to Tonga and eleven other neighbours in the Pacific Islands Forum.

Tonga was given three Pacific Forum-class patrol vessels in 1989, 1990 and 1991, VOEA Neiafu, VOEA Pangai and VOEA Savea. Those vessels were designed to have a working life of at least 30 years, so Australia designed the Guardian class, a slightly larger, and more capable replacement class. Australia delivered Ngahau Koula to Tonga on June 21, 2019. A second replacement vessel will follow in 2021.

The vessel's name means «Golden Arrow». She has been designed to be able to accommodate crews of mixed gender. Nahagau Koula was commissioned by King Tupou VI on October 16, 2019.

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