U.S. Coast Guard patrol boat visits Cook Islands for joint patrol

Yesterday, approximately 85 U.S. Coast Guard personnel arrived in Rarotonga from Hawaii aboard the U.S. Coast Guard cutter Harriet Lane, primarily responsible for search and rescue and fisheries enforcement.

The Coast Guards were welcomed by staff led by Minister of Cultural Development Emile Kairua.

Kailua said their mission was to welcome the Coast Guard to show the recent ties between the two sides on 13^day The Pacific Festival of Arts and Culture (FestPAC) event in Honolulu in June.

He added that their duties also include doing everything possible to solidify the relationship signed between the Cook Islands and Hawaii.

About 15 percent of the crew is women, said Lt. Stephen Atwell, aboard the U.S. Coast Guard cutter Harriet Lane.

Lieutenant Commander Atwell said they have a diverse Coast Guard contingent from the continental United States, Hawaii and Samoa.

The last time the U.S. Coast Guard was here was in 2023, when the Coast Guard Cutter William Hart performed the same mission.

Lieutenant Commander Atwell said the Coast Guard cutter Harriet Lane has been moved from the East Coast of the continental United States to Hawaii to provide services specifically to Oceania and Pacific Island partners in the region.

“She basically performed all the normal Coast Guard missions,” he said.

“Her primary mission here is search and rescue and fisheries enforcement, and this is the Harriet Lane’s first stop in Rarotonga. But when she leaves, she will be heading out with the Cook Islands Fisheries and Coast Guard to conduct joint patrols throughout the EEZ to ensure all foreign-flagged fishing vessels are fishing sustainably and complying with Cook Islands fisheries regulations.”

Chief Atwell said they also came to attend the Te Mewanui celebrations and Cook Islands Constitution Day on Sunday.

“We are very happy to be here and support this event. The crew are also very happy to go ashore and experience the culture of the Cook Islands.”

The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Harriet Lane will be open to the public today from 9 a.m. to 12 noon.