Australian funded patrol boat RVS Takuare will returned to Australia once salvaged from where it is currently grounded.

An Australian Defence Force (ADF) spokesperson confirmed that ADF teams are working alongside specialist contractors from Pacific Defence Services to provide technical support to the Government of Vanuatu for the recovery of Takuare.

The ADF statement also confirmed that once organized, the vessel will be sealifted to Australia for further assessments.

“The vessel was successfully defueled on 14 October 2025, and the Royal Australian Air Force delivered recovery equipment to support recovery operations on 16 and 17 October 2025.”

The ADF spokesperson said the support is aimed at preparing the vessel for safe transport back to Australia, where further assessments will be carried out once it arrives.

Australia has a long-standing partnership with the Vanuatu Police Maritime Wing, providing officers training and vessel support, including the original handover of Takuare.

This will be the second time for the patrol boat to be sent back to Australia for repairs, the first was after Cyclone Kevin.

In a similar case in 2021, a pacific-class patrol boat gifted to Samoa was wrecked and later replaced by Australia in 2024, after damage was deemed beyond repair.