Preparing a crew for the challenging task of delivering a ship across continents is not a simple mission. It demands high level of professional sailing expertise, along with comprehensive technical knowledge and experience to ensure a safe and successful voyage. Fortunately, Commander Stanley Branson Brown’s concept of mobilising the new Fiji Navy in four categories is a commendable achievement.
The excitement from members of the Fiji Navy Association can be imagined as the new Fiji Navy begins to come to life, organised into four important categories. First the mobilising of the experienced former members of FRNVR, followed by the transfer of selected soldiers to the Fiji Navy, subsequently the enlistment of technical workers from industries such as shipbuilding, ship repairs. The mobilisation culminated with the recruitment of interested young men at Queen Elizabeth Barracks. The innovative approach made by the architect of the Fiji Navy is truly a remarkable achievement.
Deployment to Seattle
During the passing-out parade at Queen Elizabeth Barracks, the Fiji Navy ratings were formed in two detachments. The two detachments were assigned to two ships company. Officers were also assigned to each ship’s company with Commander Brown as Commander Fiji Navy Squadron of the Royal Fiji Military Forces. Following the parade, the ratings who played leading roles in each section were selected and assigned to their respective duties, aligned with the ship’s company hierarchy. This also included shore-based positions, where Sergeant Major Niko Tawayaga was appointed as the first Fiji Navy Admin Officer, and Ordinary Seaman Tanumi was designated as the Logistics Branch Officer. The financial responsibilities of the squadron were managed centrally at the Royal Fiji Military Forces Headquarters.
Four former FRNVR members also gathered at the naval base to determine the naming of ships and the motto for Fiji’s maritime force. Among them was Viliame Raikuna, a former Chief Petty Officer of the FRNVR and leader of Tourism Fiji’s delegation based in Auckland. Also present were Ratu Qionibaravi Ravoka, the President of the Fiji Navy Association that year, and Ratu Inoke Bainimarama former member of FRNVR and member of FNA. They approved three names for the vessels inspired by Fiji’s native birds: Kiro, Kula, and Kikau. The motto was set as “Bai Dei Ni Takali” (Defender of the Oceans)
A total of 30 ratings were assigned to each ship. Commander Brown served as the ship’s Captain of HMFS Kiro, while Lieutenant Sekove Tokavuki Cama was the ship’s Captain of HMFS Kula. The second-in-command, or the Navy’s term the ‘Number One,’ on each ship were the recruit training officers aboard HMNZS Inverell and HMAS Dutches. Sub Lieutenant Edward Barret, a former crew member of the Royal Navy ship HMS Hydra, served on HMFS Kiro. Sub Lieutenant Tabua S. Yalimaiwai, a former crew member of HMS Viti during WWII and a former member of the FRNVR, served on HMFS Kula. The executive officers were Sub Lieutenant Tomasi Kedrabuka for HMFS Kula and Ensign Enele Malele for HMFS Kiro. The gunnery officers were Sub Lieutenant Masiverata Lomaloma for HMFS Kula and Sub Lieutenant David A.G. Lane for HMFS Kiro.
The two ships, HMFS Kiro and HMFS Kula, departed QEB on 17 October 1975 for Nadi, en route to Seattle via Hawaii to deliver the two ex-minesweepers to Fiji. Nearly 70 per cent of the crews were embarking on their first trip abroad, most of them being just 18 or 20 years old. Their flight was initially delayed at Nadi, and the airline company invited them to a nearby venue to enjoy some drinks while waiting — an opportunity for them to quench their thirst, especially since the cost was billed to the airline. When called to board their flight, some crew members needed assistance because they were too intoxicated and too weak to walk properly onto the plane.
After a stopover at Honolulu, they departed for Seattle. Upon arrival at SEATAC International Airport, arrival checks at the terminal was prolonged as some of them were found with bottles of beer in their baggage. The experience of a life for them was as they left the terminal, their traditional shirt and sulu (wrap around the waist) and sandals was welcomed by the chilly weather as the temperature began to fall in the state.
They travelled by bus from the airport to Pier 90 and were welcomed by the US Coast Guard based at Seattle on their arrival while both ships the MSC 206, MSC 205 berthed at Pier 90 with US Flag on each ship. The ship’s company boarded their designated ship and everyone began working according to their position description on the ship. Coxwain Jack Mualevu and Stores Assistant Isikeli Koroimatanibukalevu removed old mattress and pillows from the ship while other ratings focused on their designated roles. Later they focused on their quarters, their beds and personal belongings before their first ship’s company parade on board each ship that evening. Lessons learnt from their training on board HMNZ Inverell and HMAS Dutches helped the Fijian naval ratings as they interacted with their US counterparts with naval jargons at Pier 90.
Members of the two ship’s company were accommodated at their respective vessel on the first night while meals were provided on board the USS EPSOM which berthed at Pier 90. Workers and US Navy personnel would remain standing to watch the Fijian ratings march along Pier 90 from their respective ships to USS EPSOM every meal hour. It was an opportunity for the Fijian Gunnery Instructor POGI Vanavasa Vakacegu to display his parade commands and personal drills. Lieutenant Commander Peniasi Sokosoko recalled the unbearable temperature they faced.
“The chilling temperature was unbearable and with the limited winter clothing, we had to share winter coats. One would wear the outer layer and the other would wear the inner layer of the winter coat.”
The seaman and gunners of both ships were the first group to travel to the US Coast Guard Base at Seattle. It was approximately 10 minutes’ drive from Pier 90. They were trained on the use small arms including the new US automatic assault rifle, the M16 A1. Then they travelled by bus from Pier 90 to Fort Luis to attend training for the 50 calibre Machine Guns. LCDR Sokosoko stated that it was amazing to encounter the changes from training with a .303 rifle to training with the US small arms and machine guns. After two weeks, the meals for the two ship’s company were catered at their respective ships applying mess rules.
Handover of the two ex-minesweepers
On October 31 1975, the handover ceremony took place at Pier 90. The event involved representatives from the US Government and the Fiji Government. The Fijian delegation included the Chief of Staff of the Royal Fiji Military Forces, Lieutenant Colonel Oglivy, and Reverend Major Josateki Koroi, who served as the RFMF Chaplain. The ceremony marked a significant milestone for both ship crews. The handover was televised, attracting attention from Fijian communities in Washington and those living in Canada, many of whom invited crews to visit their homes.
A selected team of US Navy trainers for Minesweeper Coastal (MSC) ships was assigned to conduct on-the-job training for the crews of the two ex-minesweepers. This team comprised one US Navy officer and eight Master Chief Petty Officers, experts in engines, electrical systems, electronic devices, minesweeping equipment, seamanship, and naval stores. The training sessions aboard the two ships took place during the voyage from Seattle and Tacoma through Puget Sound, across to the Canadian border, and back.
After completing the on-the-job training with the US Navy MSC trainers, the crews undertook sea trials. This time, the voyage was conducted without trainers, with only the crews of HMFS Kula and HMFS Kiro on-board. During the sea trials, the ships sailed to a Navy station in Washington to load arms and ammunition destined for the Royal Fiji Military Forces. They refuelled at the refuelling station on Treasure Island before returning to Pier 90. Both the training voyage and the sea trials were met with the chilly temperatures at Washington.
By the end of November 1975, the crews of both ships were highly proficient in their roles and well-acquainted with the ships’ key documents, including the blueprints and the standard operating procedures and safety guidelines for a Minesweeper Coast. Despite the harsh weather conditions, the crews had gained confidence and competence in their duties.
Baptism by fire
Preparations for the delivery of the two ex-minesweepers were underway. Storage items, including rations for the voyage, were loaded onto the ships. Shore leave was granted, as Commander Brown was pleased with the progress and achievements of the crews. The US Navy Training Team then took the crew on sightseeing tours of Seattle, led by Chief Moore, the MSC engineer, and Chief Boatswain’s Mate Bob, both from San Diego, California. They served as guides, advising the crew on the dos and don’ts while in the United States. The local Fijian community in Seattle also took the crew to visit popular tourist attractions around Washington.
One of the highlights was the Thanksgiving dinner prepared for the crew by members of the Seattle Hospitality Committee on 22 November 1975. Later, everyone gathered at the usual wind-down spot for the Fijian Contingent, the Joe One Tavern—which was later renamed Joes Fijian.
Both ships departed Pier 90 on 5th December 1975. They sailed past Seattle, where members of the Seattle Hospitality Committee waved farewell with the traditional Isa Lei song, bidding the two ship’s crews farewell on their journey to San Francisco, where they were to undertake Replenishment at Sea (RAS) training. This type of training, conducted on the high seas, involves refuelling ships and transferring cargo while at sea. The USS Abanaki, a tugboat, led the two ex-minesweepers on their voyage to San Francisco. They navigated toward the Canadian border, passing through the Strait of Juan de Fuca into the Pacific Ocean.
Midway through their journey, the ships encountered a fierce storm moving at speeds of 100 knots per hour. During the change of watch and securing of equipment, some items were lost due to seasickness and vomiting among the crew. The three ships endured the storm, which lashed them with towering waves; for a time, they could not see each other as they sailed along the US West Coast. Some of the younger crew members were terrified by the destructive force of the storm. Meals were skipped as the ship’s chefs, suffering from seasickness, could not cook, leading to the distribution of fruits and biscuits to the crew. HMFS Kiro, in particular, had only one operational bridge team, as the other two were incapacitated by seasickness.
The storm gradually subsided on the eighth day of sailing. As the seas calmed, a heavy mist settled over the ships, drastically reducing visibility. They could no longer see each other, and the sun remained hidden. All they could hear were sirens from passing ships, and their only support was a message from the Coast Guard in San Francisco, which kept all crews on standby as they navigated the thick fog. When they finally entered San Francisco harbour, the fog lifted, revealing clearer skies. The storms and the heavy mist created an unforgettable experience for the crews – a true ‘baptism by fire.’ The crew spent their Christmas holiday in San Francisco.
On 5th January 1976, they departed San Francisco for Hawaii. During the voyage, the ships carried out Replenishment at Sea drills with USS Abanaki, which involved refuelling the ex-minesweepers and transferring cargo at sea. These drills, conducted both day and night, covered all aspects of operation on the ex-minesweepers. They arrived in Hawaii on January 24, 1976. The crew participated in various training courses with the local Coast Guard, including diver training, signals training, and a search and rescue course at the Pacific Search and Rescue Centre in Hawaii.
Welcoming ceremony
In early February, the ships departed Hawaii and sailed back to Fiji. HMFS Kiro arrived first at Suva Harbour, followed by HMFS Kula and USS Abanaki on 19 February 1976. They were welcomed with the traditional Fijian ceremony called the ‘cere’. The commissioning of HMFS Kula and HMFS Kiro was held on 21 February, with the Prime Minister of Fiji, Ratu Sir Kamisese Mara, serving as the chief guest.
