New Zealand is providing Niue with its first search and rescue boat as part of the Pacific Maritime Safety Programme.
Photo: 123rf
Constructed in Christchurch, the 8.3m Icon vessel cost over US$265,000 and will undergo sea trials on Lyttelton harbour next week.
This vessel would give Niue, for the first time, the ability to respond immediately to search and rescue incidents.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Gerry Brownlee's office confirmed it was the first time the island nation would have a search and rescue vessel.
Following completion of sea trials, the vessel would be shipped to Niue for the official handover to the Niue government on 18 October 2017 as part of Constitution celebrations.
The Pacific Maritime Safety Programme is providing US$5.88 million over three years for maritime safety activities in the Pacific, focusing on Niue, Tokelau, Kiribati, Tonga, the Cook Islands and Tuvalu.
Mr Brownlee is set to inspect the vessel on Tuesday.
