Royal Navy’s HMS Spey returns to Suva
The Royal Navy Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV), HMS Spey, returned to Suva on 11 August.
A group of students from Draiba Primary School visit Royal Navy's HMS Spey ship to mark International Youth Day.
This is HMS Spey’s second visit to Fiji following a successful stay in March. The ship will spend 3 days in Suva Port where the Ship’s company will conduct meetings with the Republic of Fiji Navy and undertake a number of community engagements also marking International Youth Day on 12 August.
The main purpose of HMS Spey’s visit is for Op Island Chief, conducting maritime security patrols in support of Fiji’s priorities of combatting illegal, unregulated, and unreported fishing and transnational crime. The visit will also provide a further opportunity for the recently signed UK/Fiji Shiprider Memorandum of Understanding to be enacted with Fijian personnel embarking upon HMS Spey.
British High Commissioner to Fiji Dr Brian Jones said:
Like Fiji, the UK is a seafaring, island nation. It is great to see HMS Spey back in Fiji waters, working with our partners here to tackle our shared Ocean challenges.
The officer commanding HMS Spey, Commander Mike Proudman said:
I am delighted to be back in Fiji so soon after our last visit - it really underlines the close personal relationship that we have, not only with the Navy, but with the Fijian people. My Crew and I were so graciously hosted last time that we can’t wait to return and are ready to support Fiji’s priorities of combatting Illegal, Unregulated and Unreported fishing and transnational crime at sea.
The Commander of the Republic of Fiji Navy, Commodore Humphrey Tawake said:
We welcome back HMS Spey into our waters which is a strong reflection of the commitment from our UK partners to help tackle common challenges within our maritime domain. The RFN is also thankful that HMS Spey will embark a small team of Fiji Navy officers and sailors, in the interest of strengthening interoperability through joint operations and training as they conduct patrols, in tandem with RFNS Kikau’s deployment. The joint patrols will focus on combatting Illegal, Unregulated and Unreported fishing.
HMS Spey will be departing Suva Port on 14 August.