02-07-2022, 08:43 PM
Serious defects discovered in patrol boats Australia supplied to Pacific Islands
Potentially serious faults in Guardian-class patrol boats may force some countries to pause use of vessels
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.
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One of the problems – cracking in the coupling between the engine and the gear box – is believed to have first been discovered in February 2021. Pacific island countries were notified of that issue at the time.
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Two other problems emerged during the recent Australian election campaign, but were not disclosed publicly until now.
In early May 2022, concerns were raised that the medical bay in the vessel uses recirculated air, rather than fresh air.
But the most concerning problem, discovered in mid-May, was a fault in the exhaust system. It is understood carbon monoxide was entering a compartment. While this part of the boat is not normally crewed, the issue could still pose health risks.
