Praise for RFNS Kikau OFfiCErs, Sailors

Training scenarios included firefighting in the galley and engine room, engineering breakdowns, communication drills and boarding operations.

Fijian Navy sailors on board the Republic of Fiji Navy vessel Kikau have been praised for their professionalism and attitude during a training ng stint with the Royal Australian Navy.

The praise has come from rom Captain (Navy) John Cowan of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN), who is Commander Sea ea Training for the Defence Co-operation Programme. gramme.

A statement from the RAN said the sailors of the RFNS Kikau recently ntly spent time with the Australian Navy’s Defence fence Co-operation Programme Sea Training Unit (DCP STU). Over three days the sailors worked with the DCP STU to refine their eir processes and procedures in mariner skills kills that may be required while conducting ng a patrol of the Fijian Exclusive Economic mic Zone (EEZ), the release said.

Training scenarios included ncluded firefighting in the galley and engine room, engineering breakdowns, eakdowns, communication drills ls and boarding operations, with the sailors of RFNS Kikau au performing exceptionally well. Meanwhile, Captain ptain (Navy) Cowan, in his role as the Commander of the DCP STU, praised the sailailors and noted that their eir professionalism and attitude were outstanding ng and something to be proud of. RFNS Kikau Commmanding Officer ( CO) O) Lieutenant Commander er Joseva Tunidau and his is sailors will now spend d time at HMAS Cairns ns preparing for the uppcoming multinational al maritime exercise, Exerercise KAKADU. They will be based in Darwin before returning ning to the country in October. ber. HMAS Cairns is a Royal Australian Navy base located ocated in Draper Street, Portsmith, tsmith, Cairns, on the northern rn shore of Trinity Inlet and close to the central business district of Cairns. According to RAN the e base completed a major redevelopment ent in 2009. RAN says HMAS Cairns’ airns’ primary responsibility is to provide vide maintenance, logistics and administrative tive support for Cairnsbased units.

HMAS Cairns provides es refit and training support for neighbouring g Pacific Island nations (Pacific Class Patrol Boats). oats).

Photos: Australian High Commission A Fijian Navy crew member during training, with the refurbished Fijian Navy vessel Kikau in the background. The Fijian Navy crew members during training in Australia.