The ship, RVS Tachouare, is currently in Australia getting repaired.
Vanuatu Helicopters also sent back its helicopters to Australia last year.
Prime Minister Charlot Salwai admitted that a lack of government transport will hamper its recovery efforts for the provinces hit hard by tropical cyclone Lola.
"Apart from the current patrol, Vanuatu needs a barge that can directly be beached on the islands," Salwai said.
Salwai visited Embrym Island and his constituency of Pentecost Island on Monday, six days after Lola made landfall.