A group of senior Solomon Islands officials has toured the Australian Defence Vessel (ADV) Reliant during the vessel’s recent visit to Honiara.
The group was led by Permanent Secretary Ministry of Police, National Security and Correctional Services (MPNSCS) Karen Galokale and Permanent Secretary Ministry of the Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management and Meteorology (MECDM) David Hiriasia.
MPNSCS and MECDM officials were joined by officials from the Solomon Islands Meteorological Service and the National Disaster Management Office.
The ADV Reliant is Australia’s Pacific support vessel – the ship and its crew visit and support Pacific Island countries, providing support such as search and rescue, maritime surveillance, transport of essential cargo, and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.
As part of its first visit into the Pacific for 2026, the ADV Reliant was berthed in Honiara to deliver vital disaster relief supplies for the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) to support Solomon Islands’ communities if a disaster strikes.
Acting High Commissioner Andrew Schloeffel said the tour was an opportunity to demonstrate an important humanitarian and disaster relief (HADR) asset available to support Solomon Islands.
“Australia is Solomon Islands’ longstanding humanitarian and disaster resilience partner”, Acting High Commissioner Schloeffel said.
“The ADV Reliant’s program is 100% focused on supporting Pacific priorities, including responding to disasters when needed.”
Prior to berthing in Honiara, ADV Reliant visited Shortland Islands to complete survey work to assist in future delivery of supplies to the Western Border Outpost (WBO).
The WBO is an Australian-delivered facility to support Solomon Islands’ Guardian-class Patrol Boats, bringing together police, customs, biosecurity, and immigration officials in a single location to reinforce the security of Solomon Islands’ Western Border.
