FSS Micronesia
The FSS Micronesia (02) was a Pacific Forum patrol vessel, built by Australia and given to the Federated States of Micronesia, so its neighbour had the resources to police its own sovereignty.[1][2]
Background
When the United Nations Convention on the Laws of the Seas established that all maritime nations exclusive economic zones extended 200 kilometres (124 mi) from their shores, Australia designed and built 22 patrol vessels that it then gave to 12 of its neighbours in the Pacific Forum, so they could exercise sovereignty over their zones, from their own resources.[3]
Design
Australia designed these vessels using commercial off-the-shelf equipment, rather than high performance military grade equipment to help ease the maintenance burden of maintaining the vessels in small, remote shipyards. Micronesia displaces 160 tons, and is designed to allow its crew to remain at sea for missions of up to ten days.
Operational history
In 2015 the Micronesia brought disaster relief to the island Yap, after it was hit by Typhoon Maysak.[2]
On September 13, 2019, the Micronesia, with the cooperation of the US Coast Guard and the US Navy, rescued seven boaters who had been adrift for six days.[4]
In January of 2021 the Micronesia, and her sister ship, the FSS Palikir, joined the US Navy destroyer USS Russell on a joint operation.[5]
In 2022 Australia will provide the first of two larger and more modern Guardian class vessels to replace their original gifts, since they had reached the end of their projected useful lifetime.[1] Micronesia's agreement with Australia required the original vessels to return to Australia, for safe disposal, and they left for Australia in January 2022.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Richard Clark (2022-01-13). "The FSS Independence & FSS Micronesia Depart After More Than Thirty Years of Service; Crews to Return with Guardian-Class Patrol". Archived from the original on 2022-02-02. https://web.archive.org/web/20220202140905/https://gov.fm/index.php/component/content/article/35-pio-articles/news-and-updates/566-the-fss-independence-fss-micronesia-depart-after-more-than-thirty-years-of-service-crews-to-return-with-guardian-class-patrol-boats?Itemid=177. Retrieved 2022-03-05.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "AUSTRALIA'S SUPPORT TO FSM THROUGH THE PACIFIC PATROL BOAT PROGRAM". The Kaselehlie Press. 2015-05-11. Archived from the original on 2016-10-01. https://web.archive.org/web/20161001015543/http://www.fm/news/kp/2015/may11_5.htm. Retrieved 2022-03-05. "FSS PALIKIR was also deployed to provide assistance to the outer islands of Chuuk and Yap but had to return due to some minor damage and needed minor repairs."
- ↑ Tori Barrett (2019-09-13). "FSS Micronesia rescues 7 people off Mortlock Islands in coordinated response". Dvidshub. https://www.dvidshub.net/image/5751797/fss-micronesia-rescues-7-people-off-mortlock-islands-coordinated-response. Retrieved 2022-03-05. "The U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Navy, Federated States of Micronesia Police, and good Samaritans teamed to successfully rescue seven people adrift on their 18-foot vessel for six days during a joint rescue mission near the Mortlock Islands, Chuuk State."
- ↑ Wade Costin (2021-01-09). "USS Russell (DDG 59) & Federated States of Micronesia Cooperative Deployment". Dvidshub (Pacific Ocean). Archived from the original on 2022-03-06. https://web.archive.org/web/20220306001430/https://www.dvidshub.net/image/6476680/uss-russell-ddg-59-federated-states-micronesia-cooperative-deployment. Retrieved 2022-03-05.
