A group of journalists from across Micronesia and Polynesia visited HMAS Kuttabul, Sydney, in March for a bespoke tour of the Australian Defence Vessel (ADV) Reliant.
The visit allowed the journalists to gain a close and informed understanding of the vessel's operations and the critical role it plays in delivering Australia's enduring commitment to the Pacific.
As part of this commitment, Reliant responds to Pacific partner priorities and needs, including provision of humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR), training teams, regional engagement, capacity building, health support, search and rescue, maritime surveillance and hydrography support.
Reliant's Naval Liaison Officer Lieutenant Commander Ian Boddy led the tour and spoke to the group about how the vessel supports Australia's Pacific partners.
"During our first deployment of 2026, we conducted visits to Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Solomon Islands and Tonga, responding to Pacific partners' requests and supporting maritime weather surveillance during the high-risk weather season," Lieutenant Commander Boddy said.
"Some of the things we did included delivering infrastructure materials to support the Western Border Outpost in the Solomon Islands, and delivery of a critical medical laboratory and medical stores to Fiji.
"We also delivered critical humanitarian assistance stores, 400,000 litres of fresh drinking water and UNICEF school-in-a-box packages to Kiribati."
Reliant bolsters Australia's capacity to provide bespoke support to Pacific island countries and to respond quickly in times of crisis, including hosting the Pacific Response Group - a multinational, Pacific-led military unit that supports civilian responses to regional HADR crises for all Pacific Islands Forum members.
'Reliant has been to Kiribati twice in the last year, and we are so grateful to have this kind of vessel available to help us.'
Reliant is tasked by Defence, but maintained, operated and sustained by Australian industry partner Teekay, with a small Royal Australian Navy crew element and liaison officer on board.
The visiting group comprised journalists from the Cook Islands, Micronesia, Kiribati, Nauru, Palau, Tonga and Tuvalu, as well as representatives from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
Shanella Demingauwe, a media reporter from Nauru, and Kiatara Bunua, a newspaper journalist from Kiribati, spoke about the tour and shared their experiences from the visit."
"It was quite an experience for us to learn about Reliant's missions in the Pacific," Shanella said.
"What was amazing for me was to learn that the ship is helping Nauru with the resurfacing project of its international airport."
It was also the first time on a navy ship for Kiatara.
"Reliant has been to Kiribati twice in the last year, and we are so grateful to have this kind of vessel available to help us," Kiatara said.
The tour culminated with a group photo on the ship's flight deck above the bridge, with the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge in the background.
"It is good to have Reliant on hand to help, because it is bringing necessities that will benefit our island, and also helping us to develop in needed areas," Shanella said.
"Australia is our friend, and we look out for each other in our region."
