U.S. and Papua New Guinea strengthen maritime security and sustainability through historic patrol, deepening personal bonds along the way
A USCGC Myrtle Hazard (WPC 1139) boarding team and an officer from the Papua New Guinea Defence Force conduct a horseshoe of a People’s Republic of China-flagged fishing vessel during a combined patrol on Sept. 1, 2023, in the Coral Sea off Papua New Guinea. The U.S. Coast Guard was in Papua New Guinea at the invitation of the PNG government to join their lead in maritime operations to combat illegal fishing and safeguard marine resources following the recent signing and ratification of a bilateral maritime law enforcement agreement between the United States and Papua New Guinea. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Chief Warrant Officer Sara Muir)
U.S. and Papua New Guinea strengthen maritime security and sustainability through historic patrol, deepening personal bonds along the way
USCGC Myrtle Hazard (WPC 1139) hosts operational planning and subject matter exchange with partners in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, on Aug. 22, 2023. The U.S. Coast Guard is in Papua New Guinea at the invitation of the PNG government to join their lead in maritime operations to combat illegal fishing and safeguard maritime resources following the recent signing and ratification of the bilateral agreement between the United States and Papua New Guinea. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Chief Warrant Officer Sara Muir)
U.S. and Papua New Guinea strengthen maritime security and sustainability through historic patrol, deepening personal bonds along the way
Lt. Jalle Merritt of USCGC Myrtle Hazard (WPC 1139) talks with Lt. Nathan Thavaran of the Papua New Guinea Defence Force as they depart Port Moresby for the second leg of a combined patrol on Aug. 31, 2023, in the Coral Sea off Papua New Guinea. The U.S. Coast Guard was in Papua New Guinea at the invitation of the PNG government to join their lead in maritime operations to combat illegal fishing and safeguard marine resources following the recent signing and ratification of a bilateral maritime law enforcement agreement between the United States and Papua New Guinea. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Chief Warrant Officer Sara Muir)
U.S. and Papua New Guinea strengthen maritime security and sustainability through historic patrol, deepening personal bonds along the way
The anchor detail on USCGC Myrtle Hazard (WPC 1139) takes a moment for a photo as they depart Port Moresby for the second leg of a combined patrol on Aug. 31, 2023, in the Coral Sea off Papua New Guinea. The U.S. Coast Guard was in Papua New Guinea at the invitation of the PNG government to join their lead in maritime operations to combat illegal fishing and safeguard marine resources following the recent signing and ratification of a bilateral maritime law enforcement agreement between the United States and Papua New Guinea. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Chief Warrant Officer Sara Muir)
U.S. and Papua New Guinea strengthen maritime security and sustainability through historic patrol, deepening personal bonds along the way
Rudolph Ihua from Papua New Guinea's National Fisheries Authority and Seaman Fox of the USCGC Myrtle Hazard (WPC 1139) fill out forms as the team conducts an observation report and collect information from a People's Republic of China-flagged fishing vessel in 7 to 10-foot seas during a combined patrol on Aug. 24, 2023, in the Coral Sea off Papua New Guinea. The U.S. Coast Guard was in Papua New Guinea at the invitation of the PNG government to join their lead in maritime operations to combat illegal fishing and safeguard marine resources following the recent signing and ratification of a bilateral maritime law enforcement agreement between the United States and Papua New Guinea. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Chief Warrant Officer Sara Muir)
U.S. and Papua New Guinea strengthen maritime security and sustainability through historic patrol, deepening personal bonds along the way
Rudolph Ihua from Papua New Guinea's National Fisheries Authority (center) and Seaman Fox of the USCGC Myrtle Hazard (WPC 1139) (left) fill out forms while Troy Kuva of Papua New Guinea Customs looks on as the team conducts an observation report and collects information from a People's Republic of China-flagged fishing vessel in 7 to 10-foot seas during a combined patrol on Aug. 25, 2023, in the Coral Sea off Papua New Guinea. The U.S. Coast Guard was in Papua New Guinea at the invitation of the PNG government to join their lead in maritime operations to combat illegal fishing and safeguard marine resources following the recent signing and ratification of a bilateral maritime law enforcement agreement between the United States and Papua New Guinea. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Chief Warrant Officer Sara Muir)
U.S. and Papua New Guinea strengthen maritime security and sustainability through historic patrol, deepening personal bonds along the way
Rudolph Ihua of Papua New Guinea's National Fisheries Authority reviews information from a fishing vessel crew while aboard the USCGC Myrtle Hazard (WPC 1139) as the team conducts an observation report in 5 to 7-foot seas during a combined patrol on Aug. 26, 2023, in the Coral Sea off Papua New Guinea. The U.S. Coast Guard was in Papua New Guinea at the invitation of the PNG government to join their lead in maritime operations to combat illegal fishing and safeguard marine resources following the recent signing and ratification of a bilateral maritime law enforcement agreement between the United States and Papua New Guinea. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Chief Warrant Officer Sara Muir)
U.S. and Papua New Guinea strengthen maritime security and sustainability through historic patrol, deepening personal bonds along the way
Members of USCGC Myrtle Hazard (WPC 1139) and an officer from the Papua New Guinea Defence Force transit aboard the over-the-horizon boat for fisheries boarding on a People’s Republic of China-flagged fishing vessel during a combined patrol on Sept. 1, 2023, in the Coral Sea off Papua New Guinea. The U.S. Coast Guard was in Papua New Guinea at the invitation of the PNG government to join their lead in maritime operations to combat illegal fishing and safeguard marine resources following the recent signing and ratification of a bilateral maritime law enforcement agreement between the United States and Papua New Guinea. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Chief Warrant Officer Sara Muir)
U.S. and Papua New Guinea strengthen maritime security and sustainability through historic patrol, deepening personal bonds along the way
The crew of a People’s Republic of China-flagged fishing vessel look on as members of USCGC Myrtle Hazard (WPC 1139) and an officer from the Papua New Guinea Defence Force conduct a fisheries boarding during a combined patrol on Sept. 1, 2023, in the Coral Sea off Papua New Guinea. The U.S. Coast Guard was in Papua New Guinea at the invitation of the PNG government to join their lead in maritime operations to combat illegal fishing and safeguard marine resources following the recent signing and ratification of a bilateral maritime law enforcement agreement between the United States and Papua New Guinea. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Chief Warrant Officer Sara Muir)
U.S. and Papua New Guinea strengthen maritime security and sustainability through historic patrol, deepening personal bonds along the way
Members of a USCGC Myrtle Hazard (WPC 1139) boarding team examine holds on a fisheries boarding on a People’s Republic of China-flagged fishing vessel during a combined patrol on Sept. 1, 2023, in the Coral Sea off Papua New Guinea. The U.S. Coast Guard was in Papua New Guinea at the invitation of the PNG government to join their lead in maritime operations to combat illegal fishing and safeguard marine resources following the recent signing and ratification of a bilateral maritime law enforcement agreement between the United States and Papua New Guinea. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Chief Warrant Officer Sara Muir)
U.S. and Papua New Guinea strengthen maritime security and sustainability through historic patrol, deepening personal bonds along the way
A member of a USCGC Myrtle Hazard (WPC 1139) boarding team and an officer from the Papua New Guinea Defence Force examine holds on a fisheries boarding on a People’s Republic of China-flagged fishing vessel during a combined patrol on Sept. 1, 2023, in the Coral Sea off Papua New Guinea. The U.S. Coast Guard was in Papua New Guinea at the invitation of the PNG government to join their lead in maritime operations to combat illegal fishing and safeguard marine resources following the recent signing and ratification of a bilateral maritime law enforcement agreement between the United States and Papua New Guinea. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Chief Warrant Officer Sara Muir)
U.S. and Papua New Guinea strengthen maritime security and sustainability through historic patrol, deepening personal bonds along the way
Members of a USCGC Myrtle Hazard (WPC 1139) boarding team and an officer from the Papua New Guinea Defence Force take a moment for a photo on a fisheries boarding on a People’s Republic of China-flagged fishing vessel during a combined patrol on Sept. 1, 2023, in the Coral Sea off Papua New Guinea. The U.S. Coast Guard was in Papua New Guinea at the invitation of the PNG government to join their lead in maritime operations to combat illegal fishing and safeguard marine resources following the recent signing and ratification of a bilateral maritime law enforcement agreement between the United States and Papua New Guinea. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Chief Warrant Officer Sara Muir)
/ Published Sept. 14, 2023
PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea — Building on collaborative preparations and a recently ratified bilateral agreement to counter illicit transnational maritime activities, the United States and Papua New Guinea concluded a joint maritime patrol on September 4, 2023, aimed at strengthening regional security and resource management in the PNG exclusive economic zone for the first time.
The U.S. Coast Guard 14th District and U.S. Coast Guard Forces Micronesia/Sector Guam joined hands with Papua New Guinea agencies – the Defence Force, Customs Services, National Fisheries Authority, and the Department of Transport's Maritime Security Division – with support from the U.S. Embassy in Port Moresby to make this historic operation a reality.
"Crewing USCGC Myrtle Hazard alongside our Papua New Guinea shipriders has been a gratifying experience for all involved. The success of our joint operations goes beyond just fulfilling mission objectives; it's about building face-to-face relationships that deepen our partnership. Whether we're amid serious discussions about authority and jurisdiction or sharing lighter moments like debating the merits of the best slice of apple pie, these personal interactions are the cornerstone of a lasting alliance. I'm particularly proud that we could celebrate our joint achievements and individual milestones, such as Lt. Nathan Thavara's well-deserved promotion. It's these shared experiences that fortify our collective commitment to ensuring regional security and the sustainable management of maritime resources." — Lt. Jalle Merritt, commanding officer, USCGC Myrtle Hazard (WPC 1139)
Notable Achievements of the patrol include:
● Intensive planning sessions leading to the enhanced use of maritime domain awareness tools and the development of strategies.
● More than 50 distinguished visitors, media, and PNG counterparts toured the USCGC Myrtle Hazard.
● A subject matter exchange on law enforcement took place aboard USCGC Myrtle Hazard, involving multiple PNG partner agencies.
● 10 days of shared underway time to counter illegal maritime activity, including illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing, incorporating shipriders from Customs and the National Fisheries Authority on the first leg and from Customs and the PNG Defence Force on the second leg.
● Six contact and observation reports of fishing vessels made within the PNG EEZ, including a notable vessel monitoring system violation leading to immediate action from the National Fisheries Authority in which the vessel company was fined for failing to operate their VMS in accordance with PNG requirements.
● Four bilateral boardings conducted on foreign fishing vessels targeting tuna in the PNG EEZ, which showed no violations but served to regulate activities in PNG’s EEZ, deter illegal activity and enhance knowledge concerning the compliance of foreign flagged fishing fleet operating in PNG’s EEZ.
● Cultural exchanges, including sharing customs, traditions, and histories.
The operations, led by Papua New Guinea and supported by the U.S. Coast Guard upon invitation from the PNG Government, reinforce the importance of strong bilateral relationships. The activities illustrate the parity and shared objectives between the services, boding well for future endeavors.
The Western and Central Pacific Ocean contributes nearly 60 percent of the global tuna catch. Collaboration between Papua New Guinea and the United States underscores the mutual commitment to safeguarding this vital resource, benefiting the regional and international community.
— USCG —
For more information about this joint operation and its broader implications, please contact Chief Warrant Officer Sara Muir at sara.g.muir@uscg.mil or the respective agencies in Papua New Guinea.
This press release is issued on behalf of the U.S. Coast Guard 14th District and U.S. Coast Guard Forces Micronesia/Sector Guam, in partnership with Papua New Guinea agencies. It celebrates the strong, evolving relationship between the United States and Papua New Guinea, particularly in the areas of maritime security and sustainable fisheries management.
The U.S. Coast Guard, including the 14th District operating out of Honolulu, Hawaii, and U.S. Coast Guard Forces Micronesia/Sector Guam out of Guam, is a distinct branch of the U.S. Armed Forces, separate from the U.S. Navy with different authorities and a humanitarian ethos at its core. With a longstanding reputation in the Pacific as a trusted partner, the Service is committed to maritime safety, security, and stewardship, fostering enduring relationships through dedicated service.
