The Cook Islands and the United States have strengthened maritime cooperation through US Coast Guard engagement.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration (MFAI) this week met with officials from the United States Embassy in Wellington, Colonel Matt Sova, United States Defence Attachè, and Commander Nicholas Gilmore, United States Coast Guard Attachè.

Discussions centered on enhancing cooperation between the Cook Islands and the United States Coast Guard (USCG), as well as with the United States more broadly.

The visit to Rarotonga by the attachés coincides with the visit of the US Coast Guard Cutter (USCGC) Joseph Gerczak, which arrived at Avatiu Harbour earlier this week on Monday as a port stop.

Foreign Secretary Tepaeru Herrmann said: “Our history of maritime co-operation with the United States extends back decades and includes the likes of the Penrhyn harbour amongst other public infrastructure.”

“This maritime re-engagement with the United States, through the US Coast Guard, is a welcome tenet to the bilateral relationship which we look forward to expanding upon in the months ahead.”

MFAI understands that the Cook Islands and the United States established the first shiprider agreement in the region in 2008. The agreement allows for Cook Islands and US law enforcement officers to be placed onboard each other’s vessels and enforce laws within their respective waters, exclusive economic zones.

Last September, two officials from the Cook Islands Maritime Police Service and the Ministry of Marine Resources attended the 4^th Annual Shiprider Symposium in Honolulu, Hawaii. The symposium provided the opportunity for high seas boarding training, mock vessel boardings, tours of USCG cutters and a tour of Air Station Barbers Point.

Following the visit this week from the USCG and US Attaches, next week USCG Security Specialists from the USCG International Port Security Program will visit the Cook Islands to conduct consultations with Cook Islands Port Authority, the Ministry of Transport, and other relevant officials.

The most recent visit by the US Coast Guard was in August 2024, when the USCG Cutter Harriet Lane made a routine port call. The Joseph Gerczak was scheduled to depart the Avatiu port yesterday.

- MFAI