Island evacuation a first for support vessel

Australia’s new Pacific support vessel, Australian Defence Vessel Reliant, has put its disaster response capability to the test in Solomon Islands.

CAPTION: Australian Defence Vessel, Reliant, off the coast of Savo Island, Solomon Islands as part of Exercise Longreach. Story by Lieutenant Geoff Long.

Reliant participated in Exercise Longreach, an exercise developed jointly by Australia and Solomon Islands. The exercise simulated a mass evacuation of residents from the volcanic Savo Island off the coast of Honiara to test the disaster management plans of the Solomon Islands National Disaster Management Office (NDMO).

NDMO deputy director George Baragamu said Reliant offered a “unique capability” to not only evacuate people, but to transport humanitarian supplies and teams.

To move people to the ship during the exercise, Reliant utilised two embarked landing craft vehicle and personnel boats crewed by Navy personnel, and three Zodiacs operated by a team from Army’s 2nd Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment.

Reliant aims to spend up to 300 days a year in the Pacific, supporting regional priorities including training and humanitarian assistance and disaster response guided by the needs of Pacific partners.

Savo Island was chosen by the Solomon Islands NDMO to test the country’s disaster management preparations after seismic and volcanic activity was detected on the island.

CAPTION: Locals from Savo Island are evacuated to Australian Defence Vessel Reliant. Photos by Leading Seaman Jarrod Mulvihill.

Exercise Longreach was held concurrently with Exercise Coastwatchers, Defence’s premier bilateral exercise series with Solomon Islands in which the ADF works with the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force to provide training on small boats handling, medical, pastoral, musical and radio communications.

Australian Contingent Commander Major Chris Bulow said both exercises provided opportunities for ADF teams to engage with Solomon Islands government agencies and its police force.

“Through these exercises, we’re able to enhance our relationships with those agencies and, in turn, they are also able to test and refine their own disaster management plans and enhance their readiness and coordination with partners,” Major Bulow said.

CAPTION: Soldiers from the 2nd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment attached to Australian Defence Vessel Reliant evacuate locals from Savo Island.

Representatives from the Australian High Commission and the Red Cross, which supported the evacuees on-board Reliant, also took part in the exercise.

Sophia Kidoe, program manager for aid co-ordination at the Australian High Commission, said being a part of the exercise helped participants to understand the requirements should a volcano erupt.

“When a humanitarian crisis happens, Australia is an important regional partner and has frequently demonstrated its willingness to provide assistance when asked,” Kidoe said.

“It’s good to be in the ship as well. There’s been a lot of talk around town since Reliant arrived and everyone is excited to see this ship.”

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