- Source: VOEA Ngahau Koula (P301)
VOEA Ngahau Koula (P301) is a Guardian-class patrol vessel designed and built for the Tonga Maritime Force by Australia. After the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea established that all maritime nations were entitled to exercise control over a 200-kilometre (120 mi) exclusive economic zone, Australia agreed to give small patrol boats to Tonga and eleven other neighbours in the Pacific Islands Forum.
Tonga was given three Pacific Forum-class patrol vessels in 1989, 1990 and 1991, VOEA Neiafu, VOEA Pangai and VOEA Savea. Those vessels were designed to have a working life of at least 30 years, so Australia designed the Guardian class, a slightly larger, and more capable replacement class. Australia delivered Ngahau Koula to Tonga on June 21, 2019. A second replacement vessel will follow in 2021.
The vessel's name means "Golden Arrow". She has been designed to be able to accommodate crews of mixed gender.
Operation career
Nahagau Koula was commissioned by King Tupou VI on October 16, 2019.
The vessel was involved in the response to the 2022 Hunga Tonga–Hunga Ha'apai eruption and tsunami, evacuating all residents of Mango island to Tongatapu.
King Tupou VI's sailed aboard Nahagau Koula as his official vessel during an international fleet review in honor of his 65th Birthday and 50th anniversary of the Royal Tongan Navy on 4 July, 2024. 11 ships from 10 countries participated in the review in Nuku’alofa including Australia's HMAS Choules, China's Zibo, Japan's JS Noshiro, New Zealand's HMNZS Manawanui, UK's HMS Tamar, and the US' USCGC Harriet Lane.
