The two ships were also able to conduct exercises to improve interoperability as they sailed from the area around Kadavu Island out into the Fiji Exclusive Economic Zone to carry out patrols.

Commanding Officer of HMNZS Wellington, Lieutenant Commander Philip Davies, said although there was no opportunity to interact with the crew at a personal level, the ships operating together provided the chance to practice communicating through various means and manoeuvring whilst in close proximity.

Royal New Zealand Navy ship HMNZS Wellington has rendezvoused with Republic of Fiji Navy Ship (RFNS) Savenaca to carry out coordinated patrols as part of the South Pacific maritime border patrol Operation Calypso.

“These skills are important when we may be called on to assist in a response to a natural disaster. Coordinated patrols also demonstrate New Zealand’s commitment to combatting illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing in the region.”

New Zealand is one of 17 nations contributing to the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency’s efforts to prevent, deter and eliminate illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing in the region.

HMNZS Wellington covered approximately 5700 nautical miles and the Royal New Zealand Air Force P-3K2 Orion flew 23 hours in the Exclusive Economic Zones, high seas pockets and high seas corridors surrounding Fiji, Samoa, Tonga and Tuvalu during this operation, and the ship returns to New Zealand today.

Twenty-four vessels from a range of countries have been reported to the relevant authorities.