Navy, Customs Officers Conduct Maritime Security Patrol

The Republic of Fiji Navy Ship (RFNS) Savenaca has been conducting maritime security patrols in the Eastern Maritime Islands.

This includes maritime patrol in the Lomaiviti and Lau Group.

Republic of Fiji Military Forc­es, Naval Division Operations Officer, Lieutenant Commander Sairusi Colati yesterday said the operation was for nine days.

He said this is to ensure their presence in Fijian Territorial Waters, enforce Fijian laws out at sea and to monitor maritime activities carried out by fisher­men, mariners and yachters.

He said this is a joint effort by the Inshore Fisheries Dept (Min­istry of Fisheries), Fiji Revenue Customs Service and Fiji Police Force- Transnational Crime Unit.

“Some of the challenges faced during the patrol is conducting physical boarding during this COVID period (Mitigated by having fully vaccinated persons onboard and Personal Protective Equipment).”

Lieutenant Commander Colati said: “We had joint operations in the past pre-COVID-19 period, but had been halted due to the second wave of the Delta vari­ant.

He said they resumed opera­tions in August after getting fully vaccinated.

There are 23 Fijian Navy offic­ers plus two FRCS Officers who are onboard RFNS Savenaca.

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