Around 85 United States coastguards arrived in Rarotonga yesterday aboard the US Coast Guard Cutter Harriet Lane from Hawaii, focusing on search and rescue and fisheries law enforcement.

The coastguards were welcomed by Ministry of Cultural Development staff, led by Secretary Emile Kairua.

Kairua said their role was to welcome the coastguards as a sign of their recent sister city agreement, achieved during the 13^th Festival of Pacific Arts and Culture (FestPAC) event in Honolulu in June.

He adds their role is to also solidify in whatever way they can the relationship that the Cook Islands signed with Hawaii.

Lieutenant Commander Stephen Atwell of the US Coast Guard Cutter Harriet Lane said the crew consists of about 15 per cent women.

LCDR Atwell said they had a diverse group of coastguards from the US mainland, Hawaii, and Samoa.

The last time the US Coast Guard was here was in 2023 with Coast Guard Cutter William Hart under the same mission.

LCDR Atwell said the Coast Guard Cutter Harriet Lane was shifted from the East Coast of the U.S. mainland to Hawaii specifically to serve Oceania and Pacific Island partners across the region.

“She pretty much does all of the normal Coast Guard missions,” he said.

“The big focus out here for her is search and rescue, fisheries law enforcement, this is the first stop for Harriet Lane in Rarotonga. But when she departs, she’s going to be embarking with fisheries and maritime police from Cook Islands and go out on a joint patrol throughout the EEZ to make sure all the foreign-flagged fishing vessels are fishing sustainably and following the Cook Islands regulations for fisheries. “

LCDR Atwell said they were also here to attend Te Maeva Nui celebration and the Cook Islands Constitution Day on Sunday.

“We’re super excited to be here and support that as well. And the crew is super excited to get ashore and experience the culture of the Cook Islands.”

The US Coast Guard Cutter Harriet Lane will be open to the public today from 9am-12pm.