The patrol boat HMAS TOWNSVILLE, (LCDR I. M. Ingham, RAN), sailed from Thursday Island to proceed to Honiara, Solomon Islands, to provide support to Australian Army and Federal Police units, following an outbreak of violence, which resulted from the announcement of a new Prime Minister. TOWNSVILLE arrived on 24 April, and was allocated to CTF635.
The patrol boat HMAS ARMIDALE, (LCDR J. C. Hunter, RAN), was directed to proceed to Honiara, Solomon Islands, and conduct a handover with HMAS TOWNSVILLE upon arrival.