PSS Remeliik II

{{Short description|Patrol boat}} {{Infobox ship  | infobox_caption =  | display_title = PSS ''Remeliik II'' |section1={{Infobox ship/image | image = PSS Remeliik II, Henderson, 2020 (01).jpg | image_size = | image_caption = PSS ''Remeliik II'' at Austal shipyards in Henderson, June 2020 }}

|section2={{Infobox ship/career | hide_header = | country = Palau | flag = {{shipboxflag|Palau|police}} | name = PSS ''President H.I. Remeliik II'' | namesake = Haruo Remeliik | ordered = | builder = | laid_down = | launched = | acquired = September 18, 2020 | commissioned = December 4, 2020 | decommissioned = | in_service = | out_of_service = | struck = | reinstated = | identification = *{{IMO Number|4734166}} *{{MMSI Number|511000700}} *Callsign: T8AL | honours = | honors = | fate = | status = In service | notes = }}

|section3={{Infobox ship/characteristics | hide_header = | header_caption = | class = {{sclass2|Guardian|patrol vessel}} | displacement = | length = | beam = | draught = | draft = | propulsion = | speed = | range = | complement = | sensors = | EW = | armament = | armour = | armor = | aircraft = | aircraft_facilities = | notes = }} }} '''PSS ''Remeliik II''''' is a Guardian-class patrol boat in the service of Palau's Division of Maritime Law Enforcement, built, and provided by Australia to replace the Pacific Forum patrol boat {{ship|PSS|Remeliik}}.<ref name=IslandTimes2019-03-19/> 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) {{convert|200|km}} 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 {{sclass2|Guardian|patrol vessel}}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.<ref name=IslandTimes2019-03-19/> Melissa Price, Australian Minister for Defence Industry, handed the vessel over to Paluan officials on September 18, 2020.<ref name=defenceconnect2020-09-18/><ref name=manmonthly2020-09-22/>

The handover was delayed due to the quarantine of the Palauan crew in order prevent the spread of COVID-19.<ref name=Austal2020-09-18/><ref name=marinelink2020-09-18/><ref name=themarketherald2020-09-20/>

==Operational career== ''Remeliik II'' was commissioned on December 4, 2020.<ref name=IslandTimes2019-12-01/>

On December 15, 2020, ''The Guardian'' reported that the ''Remeliik II'' detained a Chinese fishing vessel for illegal fishing.<ref name=TheGuardian2020-12-15/> {{convert | 225 | kg | lb}} 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 potential health concerns. At that time, in December 2020, Palau had been one of a very small number of countries that had no confirmed cases of COVID-19.<ref name=TheGuardian2020-12-15/> The crew of the Chinese vessel were placed in quarantine. Palauan health officials were concerned that laying charges against the Chinese crew, and trying them would expose Palauans to a high risk of infection.

==References== {{Reflist|refs= <ref name=TheGuardian2020-12-15> {{cite news | url = https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/dec/15/pacific-nation-of-palau-detains-chinese-fishing-crew | title = Tiny Pacific nation of Palau detains 'illegal' Chinese fishing vessel | work = The Guardian | author = Bernadette Carreon | date = 2020-12-15 | location = Koror, Palau | archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20201215121338/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/dec/15/pacific-nation-of-palau-detains-chinese-fishing-crew | archivedate = 2020-12-15 | accessdate = 2020-12-15 | url-status = live | quote = Remengesau said Palau had to balance its concerns over the crew bringing Covid into the archipelago, while defending the country’s territorial waters from incursion. }} </ref>

<ref name=IslandTimes2019-12-01> {{cite news | url = https://islandtimes.org/remeliik-ii-boasts-newer-model-equipment-for-maritime-surveillance/ | title = Remeliik II boasts "newer model equipment" for maritime surveillance | work = Island Times | author = Adam Somers | date = 2020-12-01 | archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20201218102227/https://islandtimes.org/remeliik-ii-boasts-newer-model-equipment-for-maritime-surveillance/ | archivedate = 2020-12-18 | accessdate = 2020-12-18 | url-status = live | quote = The official handover ceremony for the Remeliik II is scheduled to take place this Friday, December 4, at the Marine Law dock in Malakal. }} </ref>

<ref name=manmonthly2020-09-22> {{cite news | url = https://www.manmonthly.com.au/news/austal-australia-delivers-7th-guardian-class-patrol-boat/ | title = Austal Australia delivers 7th Guardian-Class patrol boat | work = Manufacturer's Monthly | date = 2020-09-22 | archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20201025165415/https://www.manmonthly.com.au/news/austal-australia-delivers-7th-guardian-class-patrol-boat/ | archivedate = 2020-10-25 | accessdate = 2020-09-24 | url-status = live | quote = Faster, with improved seakeeping, better amenities and an enhanced mission capability – including an integrated stern launch and recovery system – the Guardian-class Patrol Boat(s) provide the Palau Bureau of Maritime Security with a much improved naval asset to carry out border patrols, regional policing, search and rescue and many other operations domestically and internationally. }} </ref>

<ref name=themarketherald2020-09-20> {{cite news | url = https://themarketherald.com.au/austal-asxasb-delivers-7th-guardian-class-vessel-2020-09-20/ | title = Austal (ASX:ASB) delivers 7th Guardian-class vessel | work = The Market Herald | author = Julian Douglas | date = 2020-09-20 | page = | location = | archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20201103091854/https://themarketherald.com.au/austal-asxasb-delivers-7th-guardian-class-vessel-2020-09-20/ | archivedate = 2020-11-03 | accessdate = 2020-09-22 | url-status = live | quote = {{'}}While we are indeed celebrating the delivery of this latest Guardian-class Patrol Boat, we are obviously missing the presence of a number of special guests we would normally have here, from both Palau and Canberra,{{'}} David said. }} </ref>

<ref name=marinelink2020-09-18> {{cite news | url = https://www.marinelink.com/news/austal-delivers-palau-patrol-boat-481802 | title = Austal Delivers Palau Patrol Boat | work = Marine Link | date = 2020-09-18 | archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20201031064005/https://www.marinelink.com/news/austal-delivers-palau-patrol-boat-481802 | archivedate = 2020-10-31 | accessdate = 2020-09-22 | url-status = live | quote = Austal Chief Executive David Singleton said this Guardian-class Patrol Boat delivery was unique as it is the first to take place under COVID-19 restrictions. }} </ref>

<ref name=Austal2020-09-18> {{cite web | url = https://newsnreleases.com/2020/09/18/austal-delivers-seventh-guardian-class-patrol-boat-gcpb-to-the-australian-department-of-defence/ | title = Austal delivers seventh Guardian-class Patrol Boat (GCPB) to the Australian Department of Defence | work = Austal | date = 2020-09-18 | location = Sydney | archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20201002034554/https://newsnreleases.com/2020/09/18/austal-delivers-seventh-guardian-class-patrol-boat-gcpb-to-the-australian-department-of-defence/ | archivedate = 2020-10-02 | accessdate = 2020-09-22 | url-status = live | quote = We are fortunate, however, to be able to hand over this impressive new ship to the very proud and capable Palau crew, who have diligently observed all necessary COVID-19 safe protocols and procedures while completing a comprehensive training program that Austal provides, here in Western Australia. }} </ref>

<ref name=defenceconnect2020-09-18> {{cite news | url = https://www.defenceconnect.com.au/maritime-antisub/6846-palau-to-acquire-guardian-class-patrol-boat | title = Palau to acquire Guardian Class patrol boat | work = Defence Connect | author = Charbel Kadib | date = 2020-09-18 | archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20201024002627/https://www.defenceconnect.com.au/maritime-antisub/6846-palau-to-acquire-guardian-class-patrol-boat | archivedate = 2020-10-24 | accessdate = 2020-09-18 | url-status = live | quote = Defence Industry Minister Melissa Price will officially hand over the latest Guardian Class patrol boat on behalf of the Commonwealth government to the Republic of Palau, as the government’s Pacific Step Up program continues to progress. }} </ref>

<ref name=IslandTimes2019-03-19> {{cite news | url = https://islandtimes.org/australia-to-give-new-ship-to-palau-to-replace-remeliik-1/ | title = Australia to give new ship to Palau to replace Remeliik 1 | work = Island Times | author = Rhealyn Pojas | date = 2019-10-03 | archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20191005191927/http://islandtimes.us/australia-to-give-new-ship-to-palau-to-replace-remeliik-1/ | archivedate = 2019-10-05 | accessdate = 2019-10-05 | url-status = live | quote = President Tommy Remengesau, Jr. divulged during a press conference on October 2 that the guardian class patrol boat Remeliik 2, which will replace its predecessor, the PSS Remeliik, will arrive in Palau in June next year. }} </ref> }}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Remeliik II}} Category:Guardian class patrol vessels Category:Naval ships of Palau Category:2020 ships