The Australian Defense Vessel Reliant began its inaugural deployment from Cairns on September 13 to provide surveillance support and deliver essential cargo to the country’s Pacific neighbors.
Reliant will carry three containers of humanitarian and disaster response stores as it sails to Timor-Leste on its first stop and seven Pacific island countries over the next few months.
“As a highly adaptable vessel, Reliant will expand the range of support Defence provides across the region, including search and rescue, maritime surveillance, transport of essential cargo, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief,” Major General Scott Winter, commander of Australian Defence Force Operations in the South West Pacific, said.
The 102-meter (335 feet) vessel includes a large cargo deck and crane. It can also produce thousands of liters of fresh water per day.
