Just before his formal appointment, Prime Minister ‘Aisake Eke days was hosted on Monday aboard Australia’s humanitarian vessel, ADV Reliant, during its Pacific mission to Tonga.
The Australian High Commission in Tonga, HE Brek Batley, facilitated the visit, showcasing the vessel’s capabilities over a tour and lunch.
“It was an honour for us to provide Prime Minister [Designate] Eke and his team with a tour and lunch on Australia’s Pacific Support Ship, the high-tech ADV Reliant,” the High Commission said in a statement.
The 103-meter vessel, launched in 2022, is designed for disaster response and humanitarian aid. It features a heavy-duty crane, a spacious cargo deck, and shallow-bottomed landing craft. With the ability to generate thousands of liters of fresh water daily, it provides critical support during crises.

Currently touring the Pacific, the ADV Reliant is delivering vital equipment to several Pacific islands. The vessel’s capabilities include search and rescue, maritime surveillance, and medical emergency response, operating over 300 days annually.
“The Reliant is just one part of Australia’s humanitarian and disaster response and preparedness capabilities; we are always here to support the Pacific family,” the High Commission added.
The three-month mission in the Pacific will see the vessel deliver relief stores and infrastructure support to Tonga, alongside firetrucks to Kiribati and disaster relief supplies to the Solomon Islands.
The operation coincides with the region’s high-risk weather season.