User:Geo Swan/VOEA Savea (P203)

The VOEA Savea (P203) is a Pacific Forum patrol vessel operated by Tonga, since 1989.

Background
When the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea extended maritimes nations' Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) to 200 kilometers Australia designed and built 22 patrol vessels for 12 of its fellow members of the Pacific Forum. Australia provided the patrol vessel free of charge, and helped build port facilities and provide training. This allowed its neighbour to exercise sovereignty over their EEZ, intercept smugglers, and poaching fishers, and provide emergency services.

Australia will replace the Savea, and her two sister ships, with two slightly larger and more capable vessels, between 2019 and 2020.

Design
The 31.5 m vessels displace 162 tonnes, and are built using commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) equipment, instead of more expensive, high-performance, military-grade equipment, to ease the maintenance burden, since local maintenance will be performed in small, isolated shipyards.

Operational history
In 2009, after 20 years of service, the Savea returned to Australia for a major refit.