Fijian Navy’s role is indispensable

The epic rescue story of two sisters several years go by the Fijian Navy illustrates the critical role that it plays for our wellbeing and security. It was told eloquently in a compelling way by the Commander of the Republic of Fiji Military Forces, Rear Admiral Viliame Naupoto, in a series of articles in the Fiji Sun. It was an instant hit with the newspaper’s readers because it captured the drama at sea. It brought to life the risks and dangers that members of the Fijian Navy constantly face while on patrol in the high seas.

One thing we learn from it is that it is not a job for the faint-hearted. It demands courage, commitment and sacrifice in all kinds of situations.

Navy sailors are at the mercy of the sea and the weather. Any sudden turn of events like a freak storm can put their lives in grave danger. To carry out a rescue in treacherous conditions is a difficult and dangerous exercise, as Rear Admiral Naupoto recounted. The operation can go wrong for the rescuers and the rescued.

Rear Admiral Naupoto remembers vividly the successful rescue of the two Vanuavatu sisters from Lau.

Yesterday, they met in Suva for an emotional reunion. For Rear Admiral Naupoto it brought to a closure an event that has occupied his mind for many years. He had wondered about the fate of the girls after the rescue. Now they are happily married with children. The reunion was a celebration of sorts. It highlighted the importance of the role of the Fijian Navy. Usually we take for granted that the Fijian Navy is there. For some they associate it with conflicts and that its role is to defend our country from foreign aggressors or intruders. They often wonder what they do during peace time.

One of its roles was clearly spelt out by Rear Admiral Naupoto in his story. It served a useful purpose in educating us that as a maritime nation we need a Navy that has the capability not only to defend us, our assets and resources but to also respond to distress calls for help. One of its primary roles is to protect our 200 kilometres of Exclusive Economic Zone under the United Nations Convention.

So policing it is a major responsibility particularly when it has to cover a vast expanse of ocean. From time to time our naval fleet is able to intercept poachers, overseas registered vessels fishing illegally in our economic zone. But its resources are limited and usually it depends on air surveillance from New Zealand and Australia to cover the rest of the area on its behalf. This arrangement is also adopted in times of a co-ordinated operation to intercept and apprehend drugs and arms smugglers as part of a regional crackdown on transnational crime.

Search and rescue operations form an integral part of the Navy responsibilities. At the Commander Stanley Brown Navy Base in Walu Bay, there is an elaborate setup, using the latest technology, to co-ordinate search and rescue and gather intelligence for suspicious foreign vessels.

Fiji is one of the five principal nations, which are members of the Pacific Search and Rescue (PACSAR) Steering Committee. The other nations are Australia, France, New Zealand and the United States. They have search and rescue agencies that are committed to working with other Pacific Island countries or territories within or neighbouring their areas of responsibility to build search and rescue capability across the region.

Thanks to Rear Admiral Naupoto – he has opened our eyes to the wider role of the Fijian Navy – and the realisation that its important role makes it indispensable.