A U.S. Coast Guard vessel patrolled Samoa’s exclusive economic zone (E.E.Z.) last month in the absence of the Samoa Police-operated vessel Nafanua II which is currently undergoing repairs in Australia.

The U.S. Coast Guard said in a statement that the crew from the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Juniper (WLB 201) and USCGC Joseph Gerczak (WPC 1126) conducted security patrol operations in Samoa’s territorial waters last month.

“We always look forward to assisting our partners in the region,” said Commander. Jeff Bryant, the 14th District’s chief of enforcement.

“The United States offered to assist the government of Samoa by providing security and sovereignty operations in Samoan waters due to the absence of their patrol boat.”

The Juniper and Joseph Gerczak crews helped fill the operational presence needed to deter illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing while Samoa’s Nafanua II patrol boat is down, said the U.S. Coast Guard statement. 

The deployment of the cutters have been underway in Oceania supporting 'Operation Aiga', which is designed to integrate Coast Guard capabilities and operations with the United States’ Pacific Island Country partners. This is part of an effective and efficient effort to protect shared national interests, combat IUU (illegal, unreported and unregulated) fishing and strengthen maritime governance on the high seas.

The Coast Guard employs 11 bilateral ship-rider agreements with Pacific Island Forum nations like Samoa, to support resource security and fisheries enforcement.

These agreements enabled the Coast Guard to aid host-nation sovereignty while patrolling Samoa’s E.E.Z. The United States Coast Guard and the Government of Samoa have a history of partnership.

In 2019, the Coast Guard cutters Walnut and Joseph Gerczak visited Apia harbour and conducted patrol operations with officials from the local Ministry of Police and Ministry of Fisheries on board. 

In 2021, the crew of the CGC Oliver Berry conducted similar patrols while Samoa’s patrol boat underwent repairs.

"Operation Aiga is named that for a reason. Aiga means family in Samoan and that's how we view our Pacific neighbours,” said the U.S. Ambassador to Samoa, Tom Udall. "This is real partnership. Together we can stop those who seek to steal valuable resources that simply don't belong to them."