Micronesia receives its first Guardian-class patrol vessel

The Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) has received its first Guardian-class patrol vessel.

The boat, FSS Tosiwo Nakayama , is one of two new Guardian-class vessels that have been pledged to the country under Australia's Pacific Patrol Boat Replacement (SEA 3036) programme.

It was handed over on 11 March at Henderson, Western Australia, the Australian Department of Defence (DoD) announced on the same day.

The first Guardian-class vessel, HMPNGS Ted Diro , was handed over to the Papua New Guinea Defence Force's (PNGDF) Maritime Element in 2018. Since then, subsequent vessels in the programme have been delivered to various beneficiary countries at a rate of approximately one every quarter.

The Guardian class has an overall length of 39.5 m, an overall beam of 8 m, and can accommodate a crew of 23. It is powered by two Caterpillar 3516C engines and can attain a top speed of 20 kt.

The boats have been designed with space and weight considerations for a 30 mm naval gun as a primary weapon, as well as port and starboard mounts for 12.7 mm general-purpose machine guns.

“Tosiwo Nakayama will provide protection for the FSM's marine ecosystems and fishing industry and contribute to preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific,” said Australian Assistant Minister for Defence Andrew Hastie in a statement released by the DoD.

“While the Tosiwo Nakayama crew has been preparing for this handover, the Royal Australian Navy vessel HMAS Melville was simultaneously supporting maritime surveillance efforts within FSM's exclusive economic zone to detect and deter suspicious and illicit vessels,” he added.

Tosiwo Nakayama