Two women were among the 22 crew members who safely escorted the Guardian Glass Patrol Boat Nafanua III from Perth in Australia to Samoa which arrived in Apia on Friday morning.

The patrol boat donated by the Australian Government was officially handed over to the Minister of Police, Faualo Harry Schuster in November last year and replaces the Nafanua II that ran aground on a reef near Savaii in 2021. It was a journey that lasted a little over a month with the patrol boat stopping in Cairns and then in Vanuatu before coming home.

Maritime police officers Faauma Lilo and Rosalia Manuulia are proud of their feat but in carrying out their duties they had to forego the Christmas holidays with their children and family.

Ms. Lilo said the journey was challenging yet adventurous as this is her first ever trip out of the country and her first time leaving her family.

She is a mother of three from Falefa and Faleapuna and she joined the police in 2016 but the maritime police a year ago.

"First of all, glory and grace goes back to the Heavenly Father for his guidance and his protection over us. I'm more than excited because it was my first time leaving home," she said.

"I'm the oldest and my mom and siblings rely on me for our family plans and a lot of family activities like prize giving, White Sunday, and Christmas.

"It's also my first time being part of the group, I've tried my best and I'm happy to be back home. I'm happy and blessed to have been a part of the crew and I know I've been homesick and seasick on the boat because it was my first time but I thank God that not only me but our crew made it.

The proud officer hasn't taken any courses yet but she stressed that it's already a blessing for her to be part of the crew to sail and to learn more than what she knows.

"It's not easy and it's a challenging career but I'm just happy that I'm one of the ambassadors of Samoa to bring the Nafanua III back home. I love to serve our country and as the pastor said, there is room for improvement," she added.

Rosalia Manuulia was the other woman officer on board. She too was delighted to be back home.

Samoa will boost its maritime security with the patrol boat and safeguard its exclusive economic zone against threats.