Navy News
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For the next few weeks HMS Spey will be home to seven personnel from the Fijian police, navy, fishery agencies and customs as the ship sails more than 2,400 miles to Papua New Guinea from Fiji’s waters.
A Memorandum of Understanding was made between officials during Spey’s visit to capital Suva this month, as the patrol ship completed a fruitful visit to the islands that concluded with patrols of coastal waters.
Fiji is made up of about 300 islands, only about 100 of which are inhabited, and its vast waters – some one million square miles of it – are policed by the Republic of Fiji Navy.
RFNS Savenaca, an Australian-built patrol boat, is the most recent addition to Fiji’s fleet and met up with Spey to operate together and work on communications techniques used to control task groups.
The ships patrolled Fiji’s coastal waters and completed complex exercises to increase their ability to work side by side.
Commanding Officer, Commander Mike Proudman, said: “It was great to be able to train alongside RFNS Savenaca, further building our strong ties with the Republic of Fiji Navy.
“The professionalism and capability that they demonstrated was impressive and we very much look forward to working together again in the future.”
Correspondence Officer, Lieutenant Max Murphy, added: “It was a fantastic opportunity to work with our friends in the Fijian navy, conducting officer-of-the-watch manoeuvres at high speeds in close proximity to further develop our ship handling ability. They were very professional in all aspects.”
Shortly before departing Fiji, family members of serving Fijians in the Royal Navy got to experience what life is like for their loved ones during an open day. Veterans were also invited to visit Spey.
There are around 90 Fijians serving in the Royal Navy, 20 with the RAF and more than 1,600 with the British Army.
Officials then gathered on the ship to sign the agreement between the two nations, paving the way for the seven personnel to join the ship as she sails to Papua New Guinea via the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu to see what life is like on board and how the Royal Navy operates.
Spey’s sailors will gain local expertise on how to operate in this region, gaining a better understanding of the environment, populations and how to enforce laws to prevent illegal fishing, which will in turn ensure the patrol ship is tasked appropriately.
Executive Officer of hydrographic survey vessel RFNS Kacau, Lieutenant Apakuki Salabogi Tukana, is among those on board.
“It is an honour and privilege to be the first team of sea-riders on board the British warship, HMS Spey,” he said.
“We are thankful to the UK and Fiji government for making this sea-riders programme possible.
“We look forward to learning and exchanging our different expertise with HMS Spey’s ship’s company over the next few weeks.
“We are excited to learn and gain more experience from the Royal Navy, not only in our areas of expertise but experience in culture and life on board HMS Spey.
“And lastly we are thankful to the Commanding Officer, Commander Michael Proudman for accommodating us.”
HMS Spey is on a five-year operation to the Indo-Pacific region alongside her sister ship HMS Tamar.
Working alongside partners and allies the ship is helping tackle security challenges and support nations against the impacts of climate change.
The ship has recently conducted patrols to combat illegal, unregulated and unreported fishing and continues to work with allies throughout the region.
Direct from the front-line, the official newspaper of the Royal Navy, Navy News, brings you the latest news, features and award winning photos every month.