Actually Poirot may have a point if civilians were used, it could be piracy.
However, if government civilian employees were used as a law
enforcement body that could be different.
They just could not be armed forces personnel.
There are international laws about Warships entering other countries waters.

Surely there is a part of the Arafura Sea which is International waters ? As long as the boats get towed back into international waters you're not violating indonesian territory/waters.
The prevailing winds will invariably take them back to their point of departure once they run out of fuel. Just give them rations to last them until they reach Indonesia again. As they are indonesian registered they will not be refused entry. They would even get a chance to sail right back to their shores of origin. Once the word gets out that Australia is broke they'll soon stop coming.

The crew thing on The good ship "Redneck", should not be a problem. Captain Phil in command, with first mate Rehctub, along with the rest of the motley crew, Hasbeen, JofM, Bazz and who's down below working the bilge pumps, its those two old salts of the sea Indi and SPQR. up there in the 'crows nest' is the never vigilant OTB always on the lookout for "illegals" and icebergs. The flag, again no problem they just run up the "jolly roger". Fellas as you sail off to do your duty remember those inspirational words of Lord Kitchener, "All the Fuzz Wuzzy understands is the thrust of cold steel."
Lads, if the good ship "Redneck" doesn't make it to Indo. you will always find a welcoming port in the safe haven of Cloud Cuckoo land.

No Individual that just would not work.
I presume you have never sailed.
The problem is the Indonesian rescue zone waters extend a long way
from Indonesia.
They have to be got back almost to Indonesia otherwise they would just
turn around and head for Christmas Island.
PS they are not in the Arafura Sea,

The problem is the Indonesian rescue zone waters extend a long way
from Indonesia.
Bazz,
How turn around with no fuel ? I'd think they'd think twice before approaching Xmas isle with the south-easterlies behind them. No reverse gear with no fuel.
The word would soon spread.
Paul1405 you're getting sillier by the post.

No one is in favor of asylum seekers making dangerous and sometimes fatal sea voyages to Australia. What was a human problem, has now developed into a human tragedy with so many lives lost.
There is no quick fix to what is a complex predicament. Australia is not going to resolve the issue alone; we very much need the cooperation of others within our region, particularly Indonesia. The notion that we can act unilaterally without any kind of diplomatic dialog with our neighbors or the rest of the world is totally ridiculous, those that push this line have no understanding of where Australia is positioned, what are our responsibilities and what undertakings we have given. Australian cannot simple sign protocols, and then when things get tough, just walk away.
Slogans from politicians like "I'll turn back the boats" may be good for home consumption but they are not policy and never will be. Similarly off shore detention with its limitations is not a solution but a political band aid,
At the end of the day we are going to have to make changes to out refugee policies, whither we like it or not, world events will simply dictate it to be so. On one hand Australia can lead and accommodate change or we can have change forced upon us, it’s our choice.