PSS Remeliik II

Australia is building PSS "Remeliik II", for Palau, to replace the Pacific Forum patrol boat . In the late 1980s and early 1990s Australia helped its smaller neighbours, in the Pacific Forum by building small patrol boats so they could protect their own sovereignty. The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), had extended an exclusive economic zone (EEZ) off the shores of all maritime nations, and for small Island nations in the Pacific protecting their EEZ would be an overwhelming problem.
The original patrol boats were designed for a lifetime of approximately thirty years, and, prior to reaching this date, Australia designed and started building replacement vessels. The s are larger, and more capable than the original vessels. But, like the original Pacific Forum boats, they were designed to use commercial off-the-shelf components, so they would be easier to maintain in small isolated shipyards.
Delivery.
"Remeliik II" was scheduled for delivery in June 2020. Melissa Price, Australian Minister for Defence Industry, handed the vessel over to Paluan officials on September 18, 2020.
The handover was delayed by quarantining the Palaun crew, to prevent the spread of the Covid 19 virus.
Operational career.
"Remeliik II" was commissioned on December 4, 2020.
On December 15, 2020, "The Guardian" reported that the "Remeliik II" detained a Chinese fishing vessel, for illegal fishing. of sea cucumbers was found on board the fishing vessel. Sea cucumbers can be sold for $800 per kilogram, in asian markets.
The detention of the vessel raised a health concern. In December, 2020, Palau was one of the few places on Earth that had not had any individuals come down with the Covid 19 virus. The crew of the Chinese vessel were placed in quarantine. Palaun health officials were concerned that laying charges against the Chinese crew, trying them, would expose Palauns to too high a risk of infection.