Royal New Zealand Navy supports the Cook Islands in pursuit of illegal fishers

Four RNZN sailors recently assisted fisheries enforcement while crewing aboard a Cook Islands Pacific Patrol Boat, Te Kukupa II, a Guardian-class vessel operated by the Cook Islands Police Service Maritime Unit, which participated in a multi-nation fisheries surveillance operation last month. 

Able Weapons Technician Kyle Dymock-Smith, Able Seamanship Combat Specialist (ASCS) Theo Fyfe, Able Electronics Technician Liam Gleeson and Able Seamanship Combat Specialist Reece Speechly spent two weeks aboard Te Kukupa II as it undertook compliance inspections of fishing vessels.

Operation Kurukuru, coordinated by the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) out of Honiara in the Solomon Islands from October 5-16, involved 17 nation members and operational support from Australia, France, New Zealand and the United States with sea, air and satellite coverage.

It covered about 30.5 million square kilometres of ocean, focusing on the detection and deterrence of illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing.

ASCS Fyfe said it was his first type of exchange.

Being in the seamanship trade, ASCS Fyfe and ACSC Speechly were particularly utilised for boat handling, watchkeeping and slipping and berthing duties, as well as being on the cleaning roster. 

Jurisdiction meant the New Zealand sailors couldn’t participate in boarding other vessels.

The pair say the crew were extremely welcoming. As police officers, the hierarchy and ranks were similar, but there was much less rank segregation than in RNZN vessels.

ASCS Fyfe liked the heightened sense of camaraderie among the crew of 20.

“It’s very close-knit, very family-oriented and very professional. They are very good at what they do, very efficient. On a big vessel you might not run into other people the whole voyage but in Te Kukupa I felt like I was one of the family.”

ASCS Speechly said he benefited from his current posting with the Navy’s Experiential Leadership Squadron, which operates 12-metre Chico yachts for maritime and seamanship training.

“These patrol boats are smaller than our Inshore Patrol Vessels and you need to bring your sea legs – they move a lot more than our bigger ships.”

Commanding Officer of Te Kukupa II, Inspector Tuariki Henry, says the four personnel were a valuable addition to the ship’s company, strengthening their manning levels, assisting with shipboard routines and sea watches and covering some personnel shortfalls. 

“Their professionalism, teamwork, adaptability, friendship and willingness to assist wherever required were exemplary and highly appreciated by the entire crew and Maritime Police Division,” he says.

“We sincerely value the continued support of the RNZN and the New Zealand Defence Force, which strengthens the close working relationship, mutual respect and cooperation between our services.” 

Te Kukupa II contributed to a total of 149 vessel sightings and 82 at-sea and dockside boardings and inspections.

FFA also recorded more than 27,000 satellite detections using satellite remote sensing technology.