RVS Takuare

RVS Takuare is a Guardian-class patrol boat in service with the Vanuatu Police Maritime Wing. She was given to Vanuatu by Australia as part of the Australian government's Pacific Maritime Security Program on 30 July 2021. Her predecessor, the RVS Tukoro, was the second vessel of the first iteration of the Pacific Patrol Boat Program, and served in the same role from 1987 to 2021. The Takuare is currently the only naval or law enforcement vessel operated by the Pacific Island nation.^[1][2][3]

RVS Takuare

RVS Takuare at the Austal shipyard in Henderson, Western Australia, July 2021
History
Vanuatu
Owner	Republic of Vanuatu
Operator	Vanuatu Police Maritime Wing
Yard number	532
Laid down	March 2021
Acquired	30 July 2021
Homeport	Mela Base Wharf, Port Vila
Identification	Call sign: YJS7 IMO number: 4734219 MMSI number: 576014000
Status	In service
General characteristics
Class and type	Guardian-class patrol boat
Length	39.5 m (129 ft 7 in)
Beam	8 m (26 ft 3 in)
Draught	2.5 m (8 ft 2 in)
Propulsion	2 × Caterpillar 3516C diesels, 2 shafts
Speed	20 knots (37 km/h; 23 mph)
Range	3,000 nmi (5,600 km; 3,500 mi) at 12 knots (22 km/h; 14 mph)
Complement	23
Sensors and processing systems	X-band radar differential GPS gyrocompass depth sounding machine Electronic Chart Display and Information System autopilot

Background

Main articles: RVS Tukoro and Guardian-class patrol boat § Background

Following the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, the Pacific Islands nations found themselves in need of capable yet economical vessels to patrol their exclusive economic zones, extended by the convention to 200 kilometres (108 nmi). In an effort to improve regional maritime security as well as diplomatic relations with the island states, the Australian government launched the Pacific Patrol Boat Program in 1983, in which they would build and gift 22 Pacific-class patrol boats to 12 Pacific Island nations over the next 14 years.^[4] The patrol boats were built with commercial off-the-shelf-components in order to ease maintenance costs for the island nations. Australia remained involved with maintaining the class for the next three decades, with a refit after 15 years of operation.

RVS Tukoro was the second vessel of her class and the second Vanuatuan patrol boat.^[5] She was delivered to the Vanuatu Police Force in June 1987, and would serve for the next 34 years. She was severely damaged on 14 March 2015 when Cyclone Pam washed her ashore on Moso Island. She returned to service on 23 August 2016 after sixteen months of repairs courtesy of Australia.^[6] On 28 May 2021 Vanuatu officials held a small farewell ceremony marking the last departure of Tukoro from the Mala Base Wharf in Port Vila, for her final voyage to Australia.^[7]

The Australian government announced the Pacific Patrol Boat Replacement Project on 17 June 2014.^[8] A contract for the construction of at least 19 boats and an initial 7-year maintenance and support period was signed with Austal on 4 May 2016.^[1][9][10] The keel of the first vessel was laid on 30 July 2017, before she was launched on 30 May 2018.^{[10][11][12][13][14]}

Design

Main article: Guardian-class patrol boat § Design

The Guardian class uses a steel monohull design based on that of the Bay class, which had been in service with the Australian Border Force since 1999.^[1][15] The patrol boats are 39.5 metres (129 ft 7 in) long with two habitable internal decks below the bridge.^[4] They are capable of travelling 3,000 nautical miles (5,600 km; 3,500 mi) at 12 knots (22 km/h; 14 mph), and have a maximum speed of 20 knots (37 km/h; 23 mph). They have two Caterpillar 3516C 2,000-kilowatt (2,700 hp) diesel engines powering two fixed-pitch propellers.^[10][16] A key design goal being ease of maintenance, the class uses commercial off-the-shelf components.^[10]

In addition to the commanding officer's quarters, the boats have seven living quarters designed to berth 20 crew members. Three of them are staterooms that have their own showers in order to accommodate a mixed-sex crew. They also have a sick bay with a separate ventilation system, which during normal operations is used as two berths, bringing the total complement up to 23.^[4][17]

The vessels have a stern launching ramp for a WRH635 fast rescue boat.^{[4][10][15][18]} These are SOLAS-certified rigid-hulled inflatable boats designed to carry up to 15 people. They are 6.35-metre (20 ft 10 in) long, with two Yamaha 90-horsepower (67 kW) outboard motors and an operational weight of 2,612.5 kg (5,760 lb).^[19][20] The stern is also equipped with a port side crane serving a 16-square-metre (170 sq ft) cargo deck.^[10][16]

Australia instructed that the boats would be delivered without armament, but they were designed to be capable of mounting an autocannon of up to 30 millimetres (1.2 in) on their foredeck, and a 0.50-calibre machine gun both port and starboard in front of the bridge.^[4]

In June 2022, three design flaws were reported in the media. This included cracking in the coupling between the engine and the gear box, the sick bay ventilation system recirculating air and an exhaust leak causing carbon monoxide to enter the normally non-crewed engine compartment.^[21][22][23]

Naming contest

On 16 October 2020 the Vanuatu Police Force announced a week-long naming contest for their new patrol ship. They received seven submissions from the public, along with explanations of their meanings. A three-member panel met on 28 October and recommended the submission made by the commanding officer of Tukoro, Chief Inspector Kalsaf Treson Alick, which was then approved by the Acting Commissioner of Police.^[5] Captain Alick would not live to see Takuare delivered.^[24][25] The prefix RVS stands for "Republic of Vanuatu Ship", and the pennant number 03 signifies that Takuare is the third patrol boat that Vanuatu has operated.^[5] The name translates both to "tribal warrior" and "stand up and unite".^[26]

The etymology behind the name Takuare stems from traditional custom governance systems of the Shefa Province islands (the Shepherds group and Efate islands). It is a warrior role undertaken by people of high standing, historically serving as guardians against invaders on land or by sea. It can also be more of a traditional Police role, enforcing the Nakamal's rules and laws of the land and sea. And it can also be a role similar to that of a bailiff for orders issued by the chief of a Nakamal.^[5][26] The official naming ceremony was held in Vanuatu on 24 September 2021.^[25]

Delivery

In preparation for operating the larger Guardian-class boat, the Australian government funded a project that would demolish and rebuild the home port of the Maritime Wing, the Mala Base Wharf in Port Vila.^[7]

Tukoro left Vanuatu on 28 May 2021, headed for Australia on her last voyage, with her crew scheduled to return on board Takuare in September.^[24]

The 12th Guardian-class boat was built in 11 weeks at Austal's ship yard in the Australian Marine Complex in Henderson, Western Australia, and was handed over to Vanuatu in a certificate signing ceremony held on Vanuatu's Independence Day, 30 July 2021.^[27][28] The ceremony was attended virtually by some individuals due to COVID-19 travel restrictions. In attendance were, among others, the Vanuatu High Commissioner to Australia Mr. Samson Vilvil Farray, the Australian Minister for Defence Industry Melissa Price, the commanding officer of Takuare, Chief Inspector Dicky Obed of the Vanuatu Police Maritime Wing and the rest of Takuare's new crew.^[1][29][30]

Due to local criticism concerning a lack of ceremony surrounding the decommissioning of Tukoro, Vanuatu authorities decided to hold several custom ceremonies, welcoming their new patrol boat, leading up to her arrival on 28 September 2021.^[25][31] She was then received by a large crowd at Port Vila on 30 September 2021.^[32]

Operational history

Further information: Forum Fisheries Agency and Operation Kurukuru

From 25 October to 5 November 2021 Takuare spotted four and fined two unlicensed fishing vessels as part of Operation Kurukuru.^[33] In April 2022 she was unable to partake in a joint operation with the Royal Australian Navy as she was on standby for a vaccination rollout.^[34]

In the second week of June 2022, the Takuare docked indefinitely at SinoVan wharf in Port Vila due an engine exhaust problem. Black smoke containing (toxic) carbon monoxide was leaking into the engine room, causing her commander to pull her out of service pending repairs.^[21][35] The issue caused Australia to issue an advisory to all operators of the vessel. Austal reportedly "accepted that the problems are latent defects that it will work to resolve."^[22][23][36] She was sent to the Austal maintenance facility in Cairns for a week of repairs, and returned to Vanuatu by 30 July.^[37][38]

In October 2022 she was unable to fulfill her normal duties of transporting ballot boxes to remote islands, as there was a new problem with the hydrogen sulphide aboard the vessel producing toxic gas. The Police Force were expecting to receive specialists from Austal later in the month to assess and rectify the issue. Australia provided assistance with an aircraft and two helicopters to transport the ballot boxes.^[39]

Sports competitions

Both the Vanuatu Police Force (VPF) and RVS Takuare muster men's teams to compete in local tournaments under the Asia-Pacific Rugby League. The VPF also musters a women's team. All teams competed in the Icon Reeves Luganville Nines Championships held at Santo East High School in Luganville on 1 and 2 October 2022. The championship had been won by the men's VPF-team in 2021, and was won by the Takuare-team and the women's VPF-team in 2022.^[40]

See also

• Defiant-class patrol vessel, the United States is providing 13 small patrol vessels to small Caribbean nations
• Pacific-class patrol boat, the predecessor to the Guardian class
• Pacific Islands Forum
• Forum Fisheries Agency
• Operation Kurukuru

References

1. Paddy, Gregg (2 August 2021). "Austal Australia delivers 12th Guardian Class Patrol Boat" (Press release). Henderson, Western Australia: Austal. Archived from the original on 2 August 2021. Retrieved 26 October 2022. under the Pacific Patrol Boat Replacement Project (SEA3036-1), part of the Australian Government's Pacific Maritime Security Program; and replaces the RVS Tukoro, a Pacific-class Patrol Boat delivered in 1987.
2. "Joint Statement with the Prime Minister of Vanuatu". Mirage News. 16 January 2019. Retrieved 15 January 2019. Vanuatu will also receive a replacement Guardian-class patrol boat under the Pacific Maritime Security Program (PMSP). The PMSP is a $2 billion (over 30 years) program, which consists of replacement Guardian-class patrol boats, integrated aerial surveillance, and enhancements to regional cooperation.
3. "Pacific Maritime Security Program". defense.gov.au. Australia. Australian Department of Defense. Archived from the original on 10 April 2021. Retrieved 9 October 2022.
4. "Australia's Defence Engagement in the Pacific: 2016 Defence White Paper". Australian Navy. 2016. Archived from the original on 22 January 2018. Retrieved 22 April 2018. The Pacific Patrol Boats are gifted by Australia as sovereign assets, and have enabled Pacific Island countries to take an active role in securing their own borders and resources – to the benefit of the region overall. The PPBs are used to undertake a wide range of tasks, from fisheries enforcement, to Search and rescue, to movement of ballot boxes.
5. "Vanuatu's new Patrol Boat named RVS Takuare". Vanuatu Daily Post. Vanuatu. 3 November 2020. Archived from the original on 9 November 2020. Retrieved 27 October 2022. The winning name [...] is the Republic of Vanuatu Ship (RVS) Takuare. [...] gifted in mid-2021 [...] calling for public entries to name the new Guardian Class Patrol Boat [...] a total of 7 applications were received. [...] The vessel will carry the side hull number of 03 which signifies that Takuare will be the third patrol boat that Vanuatu has operated. The winning entry was submitted by Chief Inspector Kalsaf Treson Alick, the current Commanding Officer of RVS Tukoro. The name Takuare is that of a warrior in a traditional Custom Governance system. [...] Historically the role of the Takuare is mainly to guard the land and sea against invaders.
6. "Vanuatu welcomes the return of RVS Tukoro". Island Life magazine. 24 August 2016. Archived from the original on 12 June 2018. Retrieved 11 June 2018. The Australian Government, through its Defence Cooperation Program, has demonstrated its long-term commitment to Vanuatu's maritime security, investing almost 800 million vatu (A$10 million) over the past five years in maintaining RVS Tukoro and training her crew to ensure that Vanuatu has an excellent maritime capability until a new patrol boat is delivered in 2021 through the Pacific Maritime Security Program.
7. Roberts, Anita (28 May 2021). "RVS Tukoro farewell today after 34 years of service". Vanuatu Daily Post. Vanuatu. Archived from the original on 3 June 2021. Retrieved 28 October 2022. Tukoro helped provide disaster relief such as to evacuees after the Ambae volcano eruption. RVS Tukoro severely suffered when it washed ashore on Moso Island by fierce winds and rough seas during cyclone Pam in 2015.
8. "Maritime security strengthened through Pacific Patrol Boat Program" (Press release). Australian Government: Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Defence. 17 June 2014. Archived from the original on 1 August 2014.
9. "Minister for Defence - Contract signed for replacement Pacific Patrol Boats". Department of Defence (Press release). 4 May 2016. Archived from the original on 24 September 2018. Retrieved 22 September 2017. As part of the $280 million (ex-GST) contract Austal will design and construct the first 19 vessels in Henderson, securing more than 120 jobs for Western Australia.
10. "Austal Pacific Patrol Boat 40". Naval Technology. 14 December 2018. Archived from the original on 22 July 2018. Retrieved 21 January 2018. Under the contract, Austal will offer support services to the replacement patrol boats initially for seven years.
11. "Keel laying for first Pacific Patrol Boat replacement". Monch Publishing Group. 30 July 2017. Archived from the original on 23 April 2018. Retrieved 22 April 2018. The new 'Guardian' class patrol boats will come to replace the 12 Pacific Island nations' ageing 'Pacific' class patrol boats, which had been gifted by Australia under the PPB programme implemented in 1983. The first vessel is scheduled for delivery to Papua New Guinea, who will receive a total of four patrol boats, by October 2018 and the last vessel is scheduled for delivery by 2023.
12. Minister for Defence Industry (31 July 2017). "Pacific Patrol Boat Milestone". Department of Defence (Press release). Archived from the original on 24 September 2018. Retrieved 22 September 2017. Another milestone has been reached in Australia's continuous naval shipbuilding program with a ceremonial keel laying for the first new Pacific Patrol Boat.
13. David Sigston (30 May 2018). "Austal launches first Pacific Patrol Boat". News (AU). Archived from the original on 31 May 2018. Retrieved 1 June 2018. The first of a new fleet of patrol boats destined for Australia's Pacific neighbours has been launched by Australian shipbuilder Austal.
14. Whiting, Gemma (30 May 2018). "AUSTAL LAUNCHES FIRST GUARDIAN CLASS PACIFIC PATROL BOAT". Austal (Press release). Henderson, Australia. Retrieved 14 October 2022. Austal [...] today announced the first of 21 Guardian Class, Pacific Patrol Boats (PPB-R) has been launched just two years after the contract was awarded, keeping with the schedule and budget for the project. [...] with a further contract awarded in April, 2018 for two additional vessels for AU$29.7 million.
15. "Guardian Class Patrol Boat (Austal Patrol 40)". austal.com. Austal. 4 May 2016. Archived from the original on 24 September 2022. Retrieved 3 June 2022.
16. "Austal Pacific Patrol Boat 40" (PDF). Austal. May 2016. Archived (PDF) from the original on 24 September 2018. Retrieved 21 January 2018. Austal will design, construct and deliver the 19 steel-hulled patrol boats (valued at $280 million) to 12 Pacific Island nations. The contract includes an option for two additional vessels.
17. Sapeer Mayron (15 August 2018). "Maritime police get $113,535 boost". Samoan Observer. Archived from the original on 22 August 2018. Retrieved 18 August 2018. The change rooms are a necessary addition because in August 2019, the wing will receive an Australian government-funded Guardian Class Patrol Boat, which will be used by both male and female police.
18. Michael Arnold (5 February 2019). "Patrol Boats Set To Upgrade Capabilities". Fiji Post Courier. Archived from the original on 7 February 2019. Retrieved 5 February 2019. They are capable of operating in Sea State 4 and are equipped with a "game changing" stern-launched zodiac (inflatable boarding vessel), which is a first for both the PNG and the Australian navy.
19. "WRH635 fast rescue boat 15 persons". dewolfmaritime.com. De Wolf Maritime. Retrieved 27 October 2022. The WRH635FRB [...] developed as a 15 persons Fast Rescue Boat for Survey and Stand-By vessels. [...] Overall length: 6.35 m Overall width: 2.80 m [...] Weight operational (including 15 persons and 2 x 90 HP engine): 2.612,5 kg
20. The Shephard News Team (16 March 2022). "Micronesia receives first Guardian-class patrol boat with another to come". Shephard Media. Christchurch. Archived from the original on 16 March 2022. Retrieved 14 October 2022. 11 March. FSS Tosiwo Nakayama is one of two 39.5m-long Guardian-class boats destined for the Federated States of Micronesia under the Pacific Patrol Boat Replacement Project. Each Guardian-class vessel carries a fast rescue boat powered by two 90hp Yamaha outboard motors, deployed and retrieved by a launch and recovery system fitted at the stern. The vessels are also armed with a 30mm calibre gun along with optional 0.50cal general-purpose machine guns.
21. "Vanuatu's Australian-supplied patrol boat awaiting repairs". Radio New Zealand. Port Vila, Vanuatu. 4 July 2022. Archived from the original on 4 July 2022. Retrieved 31 October 2022. Vanuatu's patrol boat RVS Takuare remains docked at the SinoVan wharf in Port Vila where it has been since the second week of June because of an engine defect. [...] was producing carbon monoxide, and black smoke could be seen on the covering of the exhaust. The commander said he didn't want to risk continuing using the Takuare because the emissions could harm the team in the engine room
22. Hurst, Daniel (30 June 2022). "Serious defects discovered in patrol boats Australia supplied to Pacific Islands". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 30 June 2022. Retrieved 12 October 2022. Pacific island countries may halt the use of Australian-provided patrol boats after potentially serious defects were discovered, in a blow to a $2.1bn maritime security program. [...] medical bay in the vessel uses recirculated air, rather than fresh air. [...] fault in the exhaust system. It is understood carbon monoxide was entering a compartment.
23. Arthur, Gordon (6 July 2022). "Questions raised over Australia's Guardian ship". Shephard Media. Christchurch. Archived from the original on 9 July 2022. Retrieved 14 October 2022. Technical faults have been reported in patrol boats being donated by Australia to its Pacific neighbours. Austal Australia is building 22 Guardian-class patrol boats for Pacific nations, but faults have been identified that have seen a number of vessels awaiting rectification. The chief problem relates to the type's exhaust system.
24. Roberts, Anita (29 May 2021). "RVS Tukoro, our sovereignty protector and pride: PM". Vanuatu Daily Post. Vanuatu. Archived from the original on 31 May 2021. Retrieved 31 October 2022. Apart from protecting maritime border, it also helped human operations, support elections and protect communities during this pandemic. [...] This patrol boat ensures there is platform to enhance cooperation, engagement and friendship between our security forces. [...] Yesterday's event paid tribute to the late RVS Tukoro captain, Inspector Kalsaf Treson Alick who named the new patrol boat 'Takuare' with other former crew members.
25. Tarianga, Josepheen (28 September 2021). "Welcome, RVS Takuare". Vanuatu Daily Post. Vanuatu. Archived from the original on 28 September 2021. Retrieved 28 October 2022. named by late Captain Treson Alick Kalsaf. [...] The right to use the name officially, came after the custom ceremony on the 24th of September. [...] custom ceremony towards several islands of SHEFA Province as the name" Takuare" is a custom name in most of nasaras there. It means "Warrior". [...] "With the decommissioning of RVS Tukoro, the VPF had received complaints by customary leaders that there was an absence of custom in the decommissioning. We wanted to take the right approach with the arrival of Takuare,"
26. VBTC News (24 September 2021). "New Vanuatu patrol boat gets custom name". Vanuatu Broadcasting and Television Corporation. Vanuatu. Archived from the original on 11 November 2021. Retrieved 31 October 2022. means 'tribal warrior', the language of the Shefa province's Shepherd group of islands. [...] The name refers to a custom warrior from the past who assisted chiefs in providing security. The Vanuatu Government 'purchased' the name from Shefa chiefs, in a traditional custom ceremony [...] also translates to "stand up and unite"
27. APDR Staff (1 August 2021). "Vanuatu takes ownership of patrol boat". Henderson, Western Australia: Asia-Pacific Defense Reporter. Archived from the original on 1 August 2021. Retrieved 31 October 2022. was handed over by Australia on Vanuatu's Independence Day at a ceremony [...] Australia is proud to deliver this high quality vessel, supported by wharf infrastructure upgrades in Port Vila and through-life training and maintenance – a hallmark of our Pacific Maritime Security Program.
28. "Vanuatu receives its Guardian-class patrol boat from Australia". Henderson, Western Australia: Asia-Pacific Defense Journal. 2 August 2021. Archived from the original on 18 August 2021. Retrieved 29 October 2022. The RVS Takuare is the 12th Guardian-class patrol boat delivered by Australian shipbuilder Austal, and will be operated by the Vanuatu Police's Maritime Wing, and will replace the older Pacific-class patrol boat RVS Tukoro.
29. "Australian DoD delivers Guardian-class patrol boat to Vanuatu". Naval Technology. Vanuatu. 2 August 2021. Archived from the original on 24 September 2021. Retrieved 28 October 2022. "Australia is proud to deliver this high-quality vessel, supported by wharf infrastructure upgrades in Port Vila and through-life training and maintenance, a hallmark of our Pacific Maritime Security Programme." [...] Each vessel of the GCPB fleet will have an overall length of 39.5m, an overall beam of 8m, a loaded draught of 2.5m, and a cargo deck area of 16m². It can accommodate up to 23 personnel.
30. Captain Taylor Lynch (9 December 2021). "Building skills with Pacific neighbours" (Press release). Australian Defence News. Archived from the original on 10 December 2021. Retrieved 26 October 2022. technical and advisory support to RVS Takuare, Vanuatu's new Guardian-class Patrol Boat, which was handed over to Vanuatu on July 30, 2021, under Australia's Pacific Maritime Security Program.
31. Vanuatu POC; Ellenson Taurakoto (28 September 2021). "JOINT MEDIA RELEASE Welcoming RVS Takuare" (PDF). vanuatu.embassy.gov.au (Press release). Embassy of Vanuatu. Archived (PDF) from the original on 26 January 2022. Retrieved 31 October 2022. RVS Takuare complements other initiatives under the Australia-Vanuatu partnership to enhance Vanuatu's maritime capability, including upgrades to RVS Mala Base wharf
32. "Vanuatu welcomes new patrol boat". Radio New Zealand. Port Vila, Vanuatu. 30 September 2021. Archived from the original on 20 October 2021. Retrieved 27 October 2022. Hundreds of people lined the harbour front in Port Vila as Vanuatu formally received its new patrol boat. [...] It replaces the RVS Tokoro [...] served the country for almost 34 years. RVS Takuare can spend around 20 days at sea and is more suitable for female crews.
33. "2 FOREIGN VESSELS FINED". Vanuatu Daily Post. Vanuatu. 18 November 2021. Archived from the original on 18 November 2021. Retrieved 31 October 2022. Two of the vessels were served with a notice for penalty by the Department of Fisheries (DOF), for breaching the Fisheries Act.
34. Willie, Glenda (5 April 2022). "RVS Takuare on standby for Shepherds Vaccination rollout". Vanuatu Daily Post. Vanuatu. Archived from the original on 5 April 2022. Retrieved 31 October 2022. RVS Takuare was not able to be part of a joint operation with HMS Spey, the Royal Navy Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV), which is currently on a "contactless" visit to Vanuatu.
35. Newsroom (9 July 2022). "Takuare's Engine Failure". Vanuatu Daily Post. Vanuatu. Archived from the original on 21 July 2022. Retrieved 31 October 2022. The name that was given was synonymous with warrior, soldier or even assassin, basically someone you wouldn't want to mess with. Now our warrior is resting after only 9 months of service. Takuare is out of commission for the time being due to "engine failure" {{cite news}}: |author= has generic name (help)
36. Tarianga, Josepheen (2 July 2022). "RVS Takuare operations on hold due to engine defect". Vanuatu Daily Post. Vanuatu. Archived from the original on 2 July 2022. Retrieved 31 October 2022. Maritime has investigated the engine and there are signs of a defect in the engine. It is producing carbon monoxide, and black smoke can be seen on the covering of the exhaust [...] The ship is under warranty with Australia, that is why we are waiting for a team of engineers to come from Australia and make further investigations on the ship's defect [...] Carbon monoxide could harm our engineering team in the engine room. All Takuare operations are on hold
37. Tarianga, Josepheen (9 August 2022). "Takuare defects fixed". Vanuatu Daily Post. Vanuatu. Archived from the original on 11 August 2022. Retrieved 31 October 2022. travelled to Cairns, Australia for a week for these defects to be fixed. [...] vessel returned to Vanuatu Waters on the 30th of July and is fully repaired and ready for service
38. Tarianga, Josepheen (11 August 2022). "Newly repaired Takuare ready for upcoming operations". Vanuatu Daily Post. Vanuatu. Archived from the original on 11 August 2022. Retrieved 31 October 2022. One of these is a joint exercise with the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) destroyer JS Kirisame.
39. Willie, Glenda (8 October 2022). "Takuare will not transport ballot boxes: Kalwatman". Vanuatu Daily Post. Vanuatu. Archived from the original on 9 October 2022. Retrieved 31 October 2022. Takuare will not be used by the Electoral Office to transport the Ballot boxes to remote areas, as normally done, due to defects in the vessel. Commander Maritime, Collin Ioan Kalwatman, said there is an issue with the Hydrogen Sulphide, which releases toxic gas, [...] they are expecting a Technical Fly away team from Cairns in Australia to come to Vanuatu sometime this month to work on the issue at hand.
40. "RVS Takuare and Small Town Bulls claim Luganville Nines titles". asiapacificrl.com. Auckland, New Zealand: APRLC. 2 October 2022. Archived from the original on 2 October 2022. Retrieved 29 October 2022. RVS Takuare and the Small Town Bulls have won the Men's and Women's Icon Reeves Luganville Nines Championships [...] on Vanuatu's largest island, RVS Takuare, claimed the Men's title [...] last year's Champions, the Vanuatu Police Forces, failing to qualify for a medal.