VOEA Ngahau Koula (P301)

For other ships with the same name, see VOEA Ngahau Koula.

VOEA Ngahau Koula (P301) is a Guardian-class patrol vessel designed and built for the Tonga Maritime Force by Australia.^[1][2] After the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea established that all maritime nations were entitled to exercise control over a 200-kilometre (120 mi) exclusive economic zone, Australia agreed to give small patrol boats to Tonga and eleven other neighbours in the Pacific Islands Forum.

Sister ship VOEA Ngahau Siliva
History
Tonga
Name	VOEA Ngahau Koula
Acquired	June 21, 2019
Commissioned	October 16, 2019
Identification	IMO number: 4734128 MMSI number: 570315000 Callsign: A3CC
Status	In service
General characteristics
Class and type	Guardian-class patrol vessel

Ngahau Koula replaced Neiafu, launched in 1989

Tonga was given three Pacific Forum-class patrol vessels in 1989, 1990 and 1991, VOEA Neiafu, VOEA Pangai and VOEA Savea. Those vessels were designed to have a working life of at least 30 years, so Australia designed the Guardian class, a slightly larger, and more capable replacement class. Australia delivered Ngahau Koula to Tonga on June 21, 2019.^[3][4] A second replacement vessel will follow in 2021.^[5][6]

The vessel's name means "Golden Arrow".^[7] She has been designed to be able to accommodate crews of mixed gender.

Operation career

Nahagau Koula was commissioned by King Tupou VI on October 16, 2019.^[8]

The vessel was involved in the response to the 2022 Hunga Tonga–Hunga Ha'apai eruption and tsunami, evacuating all residents of Mango island to Tongatapu.^[9]

King Tupou VI's sailed aboard Nahagau Koula as his official vessel during an international fleet review in honor of his 65th Birthday and 50th anniversary of the Royal Tongan Navy on 4 July, 2024. 11 ships from 10 countries participated in the review in Nuku’alofa including Australia's HMAS Choules, China's Zibo, Japan's JS Noshiro, New Zealand's HMNZS Manawanui, UK's HMS Tamar, and the US' USCGC Harriet Lane.^[10]

References

1. "New larger patrol boat for HMAF". Matangi Tonga Online. 2019-03-05. Archived from the original on 2019-04-13. Retrieved 2019-04-13. A new patrol boat named Ngahau Koula (Golden Arrow), currently being built in Australia, is expected be handed over to His Majesty's Armed Forces (HMAF) in June.
2. "HMAF to receive new patrol boat from Australia in June". Tonga Broadcasting. 2019-04-14. Archived from the original on 2019-03-07. Retrieved 2019-04-13. His Majesty's Armed Forces will receive a new patrol boat from Australia later this year. The Chief of Defence Staff, Brigadier Lord Fielakepa was in Australia last week to inspect the first of two new patrol boats that are gifted to HMAF.
3. Ridzwan Rahmat (2019-06-21). "Tonga receives Guardian-class patrol vessel". Jane's Navy International. Archived from the original on 2019-06-21. Retrieved 2019-06-20. The Tongan Royal Navy has taken delivery of a Guardian-class patrol vessel from Australia.
4. "Tonga receives Guardian-class Patrol Boat". Mirage News. 2019-06-21. Archived from the original on 2019-06-22. Retrieved 2019-06-20. The Tongan Royal Navy's Ngahau Koula was received by His Royal Highness, Crown Prince Tupouto'a 'Ulukalala and Captain Sione Ulakai, Deputy Chief of Defence Staff to His Majesty's Armed Forces, at a ceremony in Western Australia.
5. "Tonga to receive new patrol boats from Australia". Tonga Broadcasting. 2017-08-22. Archived from the original on 2017-08-23. Retrieved 2018-06-26. According to Component Commander of the Navy, Commander Haisi Fonohema, Tonga will receive the 2 new patrol boats by 2019-2020.
6. "Completion of VOEA NEIAFU Refit by Australia". Government of Tonga. 2017-10-06. Archived from the original on 2018-10-31. Retrieved 2018-06-26. On completion of the refit package, the boat was handed over to the crew under the command of Lieutenant Commander Semisi Tapueluelu for work-up on upgraded systems and preparations for passage back to Tonga.
7. "Tonga's first Guardian-class patrol boat to be delivered in June". Baird Maritime. 2019-03-06. Archived from the original on 2019-03-08. Retrieved 2019-03-06. Named Ngahu Koula ("Golden Arrow"), the vessel will begin operating under His Majesty's Armed Forces (HMAF) once its first cadre of assigned crewmembers finish their weeks-long familiarisation training.
8. "King commissions Tonga Navy HQ and patrol boat". Matangi Tonga. Nuku'alofa, Tonga. 2019-10-16. Archived from the original on 2019-10-17. Retrieved 2019-10-15. As Commander-in-Chief of His Majesty's Armed Forces (HMAF), King Tupou VI inspected the headquarters and went for a tour on the patrol boat around Nuku'alofa harbour, accompanied by Queen Nanasipau'u and guests.
9. "62 survivors from Mango Island evacuated safely to Tongatapu". Matangi Tonga. 25 January 2022. Retrieved 27 January 2022.
10. Faulkner, Angela (10 July 2024). "Multi-nation Tongan birthday celebration". No. defence.gov.au. Royal Australian Navy.