AUSTRALIA AND SAMOA STRENGTHEN MARITIME SECURITY WITH NAFANUA III PATROL BOAT
Nafanua III Patrol Boat from the Australian Government (Photo: Supplied)
In a momentous ceremony, Samoa celebrated the official handover of its new Guardian Class Patrol Boat, Nafanua III, in a key address delivered by the Minister of Police, Hon Faualo Harry Schuster. The event marked a significant stride in bolstering Samoa's maritime security capabilities, highlighting Australia's unwavering commitment to fortifying regional security in the Pacific.
The ceremony, attended by various dignitaries, including Rev Fepai Kolia, Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata’afa, and members of the Diplomatic Corp to Samoa, underscored the longstanding partnership between Australia and Samoa. This collaboration, rooted in a shared interest in safeguarding regional security and prosperity, was exemplified in the 'Boe Declaration,' emphasizing the importance of maritime security in the Pacific region.
Surrounded by vast ocean waters, both Australia and Samoa acknowledge their shared responsibility in safeguarding these vital resources. The oceans, while offering wealth and opportunities, also present challenges such as climate change, illegal fishing, and maritime threats. The ceremony becomes a pivotal moment for Samoa in addressing these challenges, especially with the observed increase in sea levels and the rising incidence of illegal drugs in the Pacific region.
The Minister of Police emphasized the indispensable role of maritime security in ensuring Samoa's prosperity, with the economy heavily reliant on maritime resources, trade, and transportation. The Pacific region holds strategic importance as home to the last healthy fish stocks globally, and protecting these resources from exploitation by adversaries is crucial.
Nafanua III, described as a powerful and technologically advanced vessel, becomes a cornerstone in Samoa's efforts to secure its maritime borders. The boat's capabilities extend beyond threat response to encompass search and rescue operations, as well as humanitarian assistance and disaster response efforts.
The speech also addressed the grounding of Nafanua II in 2021 as a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance, training, and adherence to established procedures in maritime operations. This incident prompted the Samoan Government to introspect, identify shortcomings, and implement corrective measures to prevent future occurrences.
Australia's continuous support during the absence of a patrol boat was acknowledged, including maritime surveillance, search and rescue operations, training, and technical assistance. The Minister expressed sincere gratitude to the Australian Government for gifting the third patrol boat, highlighting it as a testament to the commitment to working with Pacific counterparts for regional maritime security.
The address concluded with a call for continued cooperation among Pacific Island nations to address maritime security challenges. The commissioning of the Guardian Class Patrol Boat was celebrated as a proud day for Samoa, symbolizing its commitment to maritime security, prosperity, and well-being. The hope is that the partnership between Samoa and Australia will endure and grow in the years to come, as the Guardian class patrol boat serves Samoa and the Pacific with distinction, ensuring the safety of its waters for generations to come.