Pacific Maritime Training Services

Under the Defence Cooperation Program (DCP) the Australian Government is gifting 21 Guardian Patrol Boats (GPBs) to 12 Pacific Island Countries and Timor Leste (PICs). The GPBs are replacing the existing Pacific Patrol Boats (PPB) that have been in-service since 1987. The first GPB was delivered in 2018 with the last scheduled for delivery in 2023, with a GPB scheduled for delivery approximately every 3-months. As of April 2020 6 PPB-R have been accepted and delivered to their recipient nations.
1.2.2 The GPBs are being built in Australia, to a commercial standard (USL Code 2A) and are used for sovereignty protection, maritime surveillance and other national purposes including search and rescue and disaster relief. Under the Pacific Maritime Surveillance Program the Commonwealth has also taken responsibility for arranging Training Services for the crews of each of the GPB.
The new training contract will provide all of the maritime technical, seamanship, communications and management courses in support of the GPB program. Training will cover technical and non-technical training courses for personnel of different nationalities, ranks and experience, to equip them with the knowledge, skills, and aptitude necessary to safely crew, manage and maintain a GPB. The Contract will also provide for Pastoral Care Services for trainees including travel administration, campus accommodation, all meals, sporting and other facilities, and administrative and 24-hour welfare support on an as required basis.