Australia has conducted a flag transfer ceremony in Cairns marking the transfer of Australian Customs and Border Protection Vessel (ACV) 'Arnhem Bay' to its Malaysian counterpart agency.
The Minister for Immigration and Border Protection, Peter Dutton, said he was pleased to reaffirm Australia's close regional cooperation with the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) and joint efforts to combat people smuggling and transnational crime on the high seas.'Arnhem Bay' had served in operations including tackling illegal fishing and people smuggling.
The vessel has completed 279,118 nautical miles in its 3,627 sea days of operational service for ACBPS.
As part of the transfer process, ACBPS Marine Unit Officers trained Malaysian personnel in day-to-day operations and ship's maintenance of a Bay Class patrol boat.
The 25-day training exercise involved an exchange of knowledge on the ship's operations, familiarisation of electronic systems and equipment on board, to undertaking operational drills.
Malaysia is currently facing rising levels of piracy in the Straits of Malacca.
Photo: Ken Hodge
