PORT Macquarie Marine Rescue escorted an unmanned patrol boat from Tonga across the Hastings River entrance for refurbishment at Birdon Marine.
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Birdon has a five year contract to recycle 21 patrol vessels from the Pacific Nations including Fiji, Tonga and the Solomon Islands.
The first vessel was received in October 2018.
Marine Rescue unit commander Greg Davies said the escort was made more tricky as the vessel was being towed unmanned up the river.
A barge brought the vessel from Tonga.
Meanwhile, the largest vessel in the Marine Rescue NSW fleet is undergoing a major refurbishment at Birdon ahead of its deployment to the new Marine Rescue Lord Howe Island unit.
MRNSW took delivery of the retired Marine Area Command - NSW Police Force ocean-going vessel, Fearless, in February. It has a range of 400 nautical miles.
Work includes gutting the interior, replacing the dash and helm seating and a mechanical overhaul.
A full suite of Raymarine search and rescue and navigation technology is being installed and the anti-foul will be stripped before the vessel is re-launched.
Marine Rescue Lord Howe Island will be the state's 45th marine rescue unit and the first offshore.
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