SALUTATIONS
• Your Excellency, the Australian High
Commissioner
• Cabinet Ministers.
• Commander RFMF,
• The Commander Fiji Navy
• Senior Officers of the RFMF
• Distinguished Guests,
• Men and Women of the Fiji Navy,
• Ladies and Gentlemen
Ni sa Bula Vina’a and a very good morning to you all.I would like to begin by acknowledging the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the land on which we stand today, ki Nadonumai, vua na Turaga na Tui Suva and pay my respect to
their Chiefs past and present, as well as to emerging leaders and members of the Vanua o’ Nadonumai who may be present here this morning. I acknowledge their role in caring for the Vanua.
It is indeed a pleasure to be here this morning on this auspicious occasion.
It is my privilege to be present amongst welcoming companions and friends to commission the second Guardian Class
Patrol Boat, RFNS Puamau, into the Fiji Navy fleet.
At this juncture, please allow me to acknowledge the invaluable contribution of the Australian Government.
As a family or Vuvale, Fiji is grateful for this Guardian Patrol Boat.
Your Excellency Ewen McDonald, the RFNS Puamau is not just another ship but a symbol of the enhanced relationship between our two nations. This new vessel presents a huge step up in strengthening not only Fiji’s security but also regional security in the Pacific in mitigating transboundary related illegal activities.
On behalf of the Government of Fiji and its people, Your Excellency, vinaka vakalevu.
Ladies and Gentlemen, in 1970, at the dawn of our nation’s independence, Fiji’s economic sovereignty extended over some 50,000 square miles of ocean.
However, in the 1980s, our exclusive economic zone (EEZ) swelled more than twenty-fold to cover over one million square
miles of our planet’s surface. Miraculously, securing Fiji’s status as a large ocean state didn’t require a conquering empire to seize these new areas of sea.
All it took was smart Fijian diplomacy. Specifically, years of patience, perseverance and consensus-building from the late Fijian
Ambassador Satya Nandan (may he rest in peace) – who successfully championed the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
Following Fiji’s ratification of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, the Fiji Navy was formed and, shortly thereafter, the
Australian-Pacific Patrol Boat Program came to be.
In the decades since, the program has been a pillar of regional security.
As we stand at this junction in time today, we remember those who came before us, we mourn those we lost along the way, we celebrate their successes and we applaud their bravery.
One of those Fijians was a young man named Timo PUAMAU who served in the Pacific theatre in World War Two.
At that time, the Royal New Zealand Navy was charged with Fiji’s defence, and Able Seaman Timo Puamau served on board
HMNZS Leander.
An ocean way from his home, in the vicious fighting at the Battle of Kolombangara in the Solomon Islands, he was killed in action.
Today, we honour his courage and sacrifice with this new vessel that carries his name, RFNS Puamau and his mission of service to the Fijian people, and all who call the Pacific their home. The ceremony this morning is a poignant reminder of sacrifice, dedication and unwavering commitment to the call of duty.
This milestone not only signifies Fiji’s commitment to maritime security but also embodies the spirit of regional cooperation
and collective approach to regional maritime security.
The enhanced VUVALE Partnership with the Pacific Maritime Security Program (PMSP) embodies our dedication to collaborative efforts to strengthen regional maritime security and address common security challenges.
At the heart of Fiji’s maritime aspirations lies the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent, a visionary roadmap that
underscores the paramount importance of maritime security in achieving both national imperatives and fostering broader regional collaboration and partnership.
With a keen focus on safeguarding maritime interests, the 2050 strategy outlines the pivotal role that maritime security plays in realizing Fiji’s long-term objective for the Pacific to be a “region of peace”.
Furthermore, the current work on Fiji’s National Development Plan (NDP) and the National Security Defence Review (NSDR) not only recognizes Fiji’s dependency on its oceanic resources for our livelihood and economic security but also emphasizes Maritime Security and Maritime Domain Awareness as a key cornerstone of national strategic priorities that emphasizes the imperative of bolstering maritime security capabilities.
This is necessary to safeguard Fiji’s waters and maritime interests against a myriad of threats including non-traditional threats posed by:
(i) transnational crime,
(ii) Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated
fishing,
(iii) drug trafficking,
(iv) human trafficking and
(v) the national security impacts of climate
and environmental changes.
The recent influx of drug detections across the country further highlight the critical role of maritime security, as these incidents indicate a delivery method that would have only been possible by sea.
In this context, the commissioning of RFNS PUAMAU emerges as a vital instrument for strengthening Fiji’s maritime security
capabilities, supported by inter-agency intelligence and coordination efforts by Fiji’s maritime border security agencies.
The commissioning of RFNS PUAMAU today also mirrors Fiji’s concerted efforts at the national level in developing the Maritime Powers legislation and Maritime Border Framework. These strategic documents are poised to provide the legal mandate and framework necessary to strengthen joint coordination efforts at the Maritime Essential Services Centre (MESC).
This strategic office (MESC) is planned to be operational in the first quarter of 2025. It is earmarked to facilitate and coordinate
joint operations at sea with other maritime border security agencies.
In light of these initiatives, the commissioning of RFNS PUAMAU not only enhances Fiji’s maritime security capabilities but also signifies a broader commitment to comprehensive maritime security governance and cooperation at both domestic and regional levels to ensure that Fiji and the Pacific remains a region of peace.
With room for 23 crew and a 3,000 nautical mile range, we believe that the advanced capabilities and stellar performance of this vessel epitomizes this commitment to make substantial contribution to enhancing the safety and security of the maritime environment across the region.
The Government of Fiji and the Republic of Fiji Navy welcome RFNS PUAMAU to the fleet and anticipates that her deployment is
set to synergize with the endeavours of its sister ship, RFNS SAVENACA.
We anticipate that RFNS Puamau’s inclusion into the Navy Fleet, will increase operational sea days from 260 days to 360 days to
prevent, deter and detect any potential security threat at sea and to ensure that the our Sea Lanes of Communication (SLOCS) remain unhindered and uninterrupted to sea commerce.
This is a huge enabler which is envisaged to support our collective effort in supporting Fiji’s Blue Economy.
Together, these vessels form a formidable duo, working in tandem to safeguard Fiji waters and navigate shared challenges faced
by the wider Pacific. In essence, the commissioning of this new patrol boat in Fiji transcends mere ceremonial
significance; it encapsulates a broader narrative of strategic foresight, collaborative partnership, and regional solidarity in the
pursuit of maritime security and stability in the Blue Pacific Continent.
Just as Able Seaman Timo PUAMAU’s legacy serves as a testament to courage and dedication to duty, the commissioning of
RFNS PUAMAU today embodies a resolute commitment to maritime security and acts as a deterrent, reinforcing our determination to protect our waters.
With evolving infrastructure and enhancement in the Navy’s capability and enforcement platforms, what Fiji requires is a smart Naval Force capable beyond its size to protect our citizens, its sovereignty and interests at sea.
Having said that, our naval might is much more than just technological advancement.
It’s about the men and women who make up the force.
It is about your ingenuity, your can-do attitude and fortitude in the face of hardship.
You can all be proud of the profession you chose…it is a calling to the sea that is steeped in history…with an amazing future ahead of it.
To conclude, I wish the Republic of Fiji Navy well in its future endeavours and hereby formally commission the RFNS PUAMAU into active naval service on this day, 18 th of May 2024. May the Lord, bless RFNS Puamau and those who serve on her, May God Bless Fiji.
Vinaka.
Vinaka Vakalevu, Dhaanyabaad & Thank
you.