The improved maritime partnership between Fiji and the United States has contributed to several successful search and rescue operations in recent weeks, helping return missing people safely to their families.
Speaking to the media onboard the United States Coast Guard (USCGC) “Harriet Lane” yesterday, US Military Group Chief for Fiji Commander Nate Baladad said recent rescue missions demonstrated the growing level of coordination between the Fiji Navy, maritime agencies and international partners operating in Fiji’s waters.
While some cases ended tragically, he said many of the search and rescue operations carried out over the past week resulted in people being located and reunited with their loved ones.
“I think that’s a testament to the coordination and collaboration that’s happening, not only with us, but with Fiji Navy and all of our like-minded partners,” he said.
“So you can see that evolution of the capability and the capacity of Fiji Navy and the maritime interagency to get after these missions.
“Because at the end of the day, I think we’re just trying to bring people back safe.”
He said the partnership between Fiji and the United States extended beyond efforts to combat drug trafficking and illegal fishing, encompassing a broad range of maritime responsibilities.
According to Commander Baladad, the USCGC role in Fiji is not focused on a single mission but on supporting multiple functions, including search and rescue, counternarcotics activities and the enforcement of customs and other maritime regulations.
“This is all under the guise of Fiji’s laws.
“We are essentially the platform that is out there delivering the capability, the ability to enforce and see those issues of activity that are taking place, and then to present that to Fijian authorities in order to make a dispositional decision.
“In terms of if the partnership is beginning, we are in it.”
He said the ultimate objective of those efforts was to ensure people are brought home safely while strengthening Fiji’s ability to respond to incidents and enforce its laws across its vast maritime area.
