British Royal Navy Patrol Vessel HMS Spey calls in Apia Port

Press Release/Photos supplied

APIA, SAMOA – 11 MARCH 2022: The British Royal Navy Offshore Patrol Vessel HMS Spey, one of the Royal Navy’s most modern ships, will call at Apia Port on 13 and 14 March as part of its first tour of the South Pacific.

While transiting Samoan waters, HMS Spey will work closely with Samoa’s Police Maritime Wing, including on matters of maritime and fisheries surveillance.

In January the ship delivered water and medical supplies as part of the international response to the Hunga-Tonga volcanic eruption, and last month deployed a medical team to deliver Covid booster vaccinations and dental treatments to the people of Pitcairn.

The visit coincides with the celebration of the Commonwealth Day 14 March.

 “I am delighted to welcome HMS Spey to Samoan waters and to Apia Port on the occasion of Commonwealth Day,” said British High Commissioner, David Ward.

“I hope this visit will mark the establishment of a close and productive relationship between HMS Spey and the Samoan Police Maritime Wing, laying the ground for close cooperation in future on areas such as fisheries protection and surveillance which are so important to Samoa, and which reflect our shared Commonwealth values.”

Executive Officer, Lt Cdr Macnae is in charge on the bridge during specials as the ship sails from Tahiti to its next destination.

One of the greenest ships in the fleet, Spey has also worked with regional partners to carry out environmental and hydrographic surveys as well as water sampling to aid studies on climate change.

Her recent work in support of the Forum Fisheries Agency (FFA) has seen the ship contribute to the fight against illegal, unregulated and unreported fisheries activity.

This visit will coincide with Commonwealth Day on 14 March. The British High Commission will host an event to mark HMS Spey’s visit and Commonwealth Day, at which senior members and officials of Samoa’s Government and Police Maritime Wing will be able to observe HMS Spey as she departs Apia.

The Operations Officer on HMS Spey, Lieutenant Commander Tim Wood, said:

“Unregulated fishing activity is the largest threat to the majority of Pacific Island Nations, after global warming and sea level rise. Spey’s presence in the area has assisted governments of the region to cover the vast Exclusive Economic Zones to monitor and report fishing activity. This increases control of natural resources to assist the regional economy and monitor the sustainability of fishing stocks”.

HMS Spey’s navigator, Lt Royle, on the bridge as the ship leaves Tahiti.

This visit will observe all Covid protocols in force in Samoa and involve no direct personal contact between visitors and onshore staff.