 FSS Independence, shown here with crew and US Ambassador to Micronesia
| |
| History | |
|---|---|
 Federated States of Micronesia | |
| Name | Independence |
| Acquired | March 1990 |
| Decommissioned | 12 January 2022 |
| Status | decommissioned |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type | Pacific-class patrol boat |
FSS Independence is a Pacific-class patrol boat manufactured by Australia and delivered to the Federated States of Micronesia under the Pacific Patrol Boat Program. It was superseded in January 2022 by Guardian-class patrol boats under the Pacific Maritime Security Program.
Overview
Independence was transferred to Micronesia in March 1990. As a Pacific-class patrol boat, it had a length of 31.5 metres (103 ft 4 in), a beam of 8.1 metres (26 ft 7 in), a draught of 1.8 metres (5 ft 11 in), and a full load displacement of 162 tonnes (159 long tons).[1] It was decommissioned and returned to Australia on 12 January 2022 in exchange for the new Guardian-class patrol boats that Micronesia would receive. At the decommissioning ceremony, the president of Micronesia stated that the patrol boat along with its sister ship FSS <i>Micronesia</i> provided "the sovereign capability to conduct maritime surveillance and enforcement, as well as to assist our Nation with important missions ranging from Search & Rescue operations to disaster relief".[2]
Service
In its 30 years of service from 1990 to 2022, the two patrol boats have seen service in a large variety of fields, including mitigating illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing activities.[3] In addition, it has also participated in maritime rescue operations; for example, in August 2020 it cooperated with Australian and American forces to conduct a rescue of three people stranded on the deserted island of Pikelot.[4]
In June 2010, the patrol boat had to be temporarily suspended from service for emergency repairs due to extensive corrosion. A total fund of $78,000 was allocated for the repairs, as any lapse in the patrolling capability was deemed to be crippling to government services.[5]
As with other PPBP recipients, due to cost issues the use of the patrol boat gradually decreased. The patrol boat, along with its sisters FSS <i>Palikir</i> and FSS Micronesia, consumed a total of 33% of Micronesia's operations budget in 1999. During the 2006–2012 period, median total days at sea decreased to 69 days, i.e. 11.5 days per year.[6]
References
- ^ Sharpe. Jane's Fighting Ships. pp. 197, 396, 498, 637.
- ^ "The FSS Independence & FSS Micronesia Depart After More Than Thirty Years of Service; Crews to Return with Guardian-Class Patrol Boats". Embassy of the Federated States of Micronesia. 14 January 2022. Retrieved 23 November 2022.
- ^ Stilp, Nicholas. "Towards consolidating the Pacific Maritime Security Program for the future: a critical analysis" (PDF). Retrieved 23 November 2022.
- ^ "Coast Guard, partners rescue mariners from island in Federated States of Micronesia". 3 August 2020. Retrieved 23 November 2022.
- ^ "Emergency Repairs for FSS Independence Approved and Supplemental Funding for FY2010 Budget Passes". Government of the Federated States of Micronesia. 21 June 2010. Retrieved 23 November 2022.
- ^ Stilp, Nicholas. "Towards consolidating the Pacific Maritime Security Program for the future: a critical analysis" (PDF). Retrieved 23 November 2022.
This page was last edited on 23 October 2023, at 12:49