PSS Remeliik will be deployed to Southwest Islands today to delivers ballots, medical supplies, and educational materials.
Remeliik will depart at 4p.m. today to deliver the ballots in time for the May 1 referendum to the outlying states of Hatohobei and Sonsorol.
The patrol boat will also bring medical supplies and educational learning materials to the outer areas, according to the Australian Maritime Surveillance Adviser to Lieutenant Commander Clint Moore.
Remeliik’s departure back to Australia was suspended due to travel restrictions as a result of the novel coronavirus pandemic.
PSS H.I. Remellik was supposed to be taken out of commission and sail back to Australia in March and its replacement coming in by June.
Australia has been delivering patrol boats to other Pacific Island Countries. Other recipients include Tonga, the Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Tuvalu, Kiribati, Samoa, Vanuatu, FSM, the Marshall Islands, and the Cook Islands. (Bernadette H. Carreon)