Police Commissioner James Keenan has welcomed Thursday’s launch of Te Kukupa II in Australia, expressing gratitude to Australia for the significant work and assistance with completing the new Guardian Patrol Boat.

Since the announcement by Australia of the replacement programme for the patrol boats around the region, there’s been a steady increase of excitement, particularly over the past couple of years as the Cook Islands’ vessel took shape in Perth. 

The Police Maritime Division has since been strengthening its own capacity and preparations to return Te Kukupa back to Australia, and receive the new Cook Islands Police Patrol Boat, Te Kukupa II.

Police Commissioner Keenan yesterday acknowledged the commitment and dedication of the Maritime Division.

“We have been proud custodians of Te Kukupa since 1989 and have done our best to maintain the highest levels of performance in operations, and service,” said Commissioner Keenan.

“The rewards have come in the respect and recognition the Cook Islands has built over the past three decades in maintaining and operating Te Kukupa, a highly-valued asset in the surveillance and security of our national marine resources.”

The benefits, nationally and regionally, have been immeasurable, and the extent to which we are grateful, equally so, he added.  

The assistance and support to the Cook Islands Police Service, from the Government of Australia, Royal Australian Navy, and Australian Federal Police, has been most appreciated, over many years. 

The Commissioner said the partnership with Australia was particularly strong, and close. Thirty plus years of cooperative relations with Australia, and the Pacific nations involved in the Patrol Boat Programme, has cemented those ties, which will continue into the years ahead.

It was unfortunate that the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic, and the impacts on borders, had adversely affected recruitment, training, and upskilling of police personnel. All Maritime training had been conducted at the Australian Maritime College in Hobart, Tasmania. And more recently, a new training provider in the form of the Technical and Further Education (TAFE), in Queensland.

In the lead up to, and in preparation for Te Kukupa II, adjustments had to be made to ensure timely progress by the Maritime Division, in fulfilling the requirements involved. To overcome the border restrictions, training had to be focused in Rarotonga.  

Maritime Surveillance Adviser, LTCDR Mark Te Kani, Technical Adviser Tama Short, along with the boat’s command team, developed and delivered elements of the AMC and TAFE syllabus.

The Maritime crew numbers have now been increased from 13 to 25. This was achieved through assigning one constable, and three probationary constables, and recruiting five direct entry trainees from the “street” into Maritime.

The Advisors and leadership developed and delivered a training plan for all new recruits.  These included the following training areas and qualifications: Electrical Technician Level 1, Sea Survival, Seamanship, Damage Control and Fire Fighting, First Aid, Dive training, and Boat Masters certification. Local training institutions such as Cook Islands Tertiary Training Institute, Cook Islands Red Cross Society, Dive Rarotonga, and the Ministry of Transport, assisted with the delivery of training.

Police Maritime and the crew of Te Kukupa are now involved in the planning of events over the final weeks of February, before returning the patrol boat back to Australia, for disposal.

The crew is required to undertake four weeks of conversion training followed by transition training in preparation for Te Kukupa II’s official handover ceremony to the Cook Islands Government in Perth, at the end of April.

The crew will then undertake three weeks of collective sea training, which involves operating Te Kukupa II in all facets of the boat’s capabilities. During this time, they will be assessed by the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) Sea Training Group (STG). 

Te Kukupa II is estimated to be welcomed to Rarotonga, around 21 June 2022.

The vessels is 39.5 meters (129 ft 7 in) long, steel monohull design, capable of travelling 3000 nautical miles (5,600 km; 3,500 mi) at 12 knots (22 km/h; 14 mph), with a maximum speed of 20 knots (37 km/h; 23 mph).

They are designed to berth a complement of 23 crew members. They will have a stern launching ramp for a pursuit boat. The vessel’s twin diesel engines can provide 4000 kilowatts (5,400 shp).

• Police Media