Fiji is strengthening its frontline response to drug trafficking, illegal fishing and other threats in its waters with the handover of three new seven-metre rigid-hull inflatable boats and a boat ramp from the US.
The equipment were formally handed over at the Stanley Brown Naval Base, with US Chargé d’Affaires Christina Cavallo saying the boats would help Fiji confront growing transnational threats across the Pacific.
“Whether seizing tonnes of methamphetamine from shipping containers or finding bundles of cocaine washed up on our beaches, we all grapple with illegal drug trafficking,” Ms Cavallo said.
The boats, she said, would also support fisheries enforcement, search-and-rescue and efforts to protect Fiji’s sovereignty and maritime resources.
Defence Minister Pio Tikoduadua said the boats were important because Fiji is an ocean state, with its trade, people, fisheries and remote communities dependent on the sea which makes maritime capability critical.
“These rigs may be small vessels, but they will give the navy greater flexibility and mobility in the work it does,” he said.
Mr Tikoduadua said the boats would allow sailors to operate closer to shore, move personnel quickly and undertake tasks for which larger vessels were not always suited.
“Fiji must be able to understand what is happening in our waters, to act when required, and to contribute meaningfully to the security of our region.”
Fiji Navy Commander Timoci Natuva said the project had been in development with the US since 2018-2019 and is intended to increase the navy’s presence across Fiji’s waters.
Commander Natuva said the growing threat from drugs and recent cases had increased the need for a stronger presence in Fiji’s waters.
“So, this will be very important in terms of getting our footprint out through Fiji in the islands,” he said.
Commander Natuva said the US support included the boats, infrastructure, training and parts, and described it as a “complete package”.
He said the boats would support presence, interdiction, boarding operations, search-and- rescue in close proximity to land.
