The Attack class patrol boat HMAS AITAPE, (LCDR W. S. G. Bateman, RAN), was commissioned. AITAPE was laid down in Walker’s Yard, Maryborough, QLD, in November 1966, and launched on 6 July 1967. Mrs Maloat Paliau, (Wife of the Member for Manus in the PNG House of Assembly), performed the launching ceremony. She was gifted to the PNGDF in November 1974.