US Coastguard ship unaffected by Chinese warships while en route to Sydney

US delegates on US Coast Guard ship say they were aware of the fleet of Chinese warships off the NSW coast while on its recent voyage to Sydney but said they had no encounters.

US delegates say they were aware and monitoring a fleet of Chinese warships off the coast of NSW while the US Coast Guard Cutter Midgett was on its mission to Sydney.

The 127-metre cutter, which is one of the United States Coast Guard’s centrepiece fleets, has moored in Sydney Harbour as part of a mission to strengthen security relationships with nations in the Indo-Pacific region.

Despite the Chinese warships reportedly failing to provide more notice about performing live fire exercises off the NSW coast last week, USCGC Midgett Commanding Officer Captain Matthew Rooney confirmed the crew was “aware” of its presence, however confirmed that it “did not affect our operations”.

But, Captain Rooney said it was the Australian Navy’s “story to tell” about how the Chinese warships’ operations were “characterised”.

“We follow international norms, (and) regulations for preventing collisions at sea and we had no encounters,” Captain Rooney said.

ENS Harlan Brady pictured during a tour of the cutter. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

Chief Petty Officer Christopher Chavez pictured in the control room. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

“But would expect the Chinese Navy to do the same.”

Having arrived in Sydney from New Zealand on Saturday and remaining in the harbour until later this week, Captain Rooney said the mission was to “assist partner nations” while maintaining their national sovereignty.

ENS Harlan Brady during the tour. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

Commanding Officer of HMAS Kuttabul Captain Rebecca Levitt alongside USCGC Midgett Commanding Officer Captain Matthew Rooney. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

It included visits to American Samoa, Tuvalu and once finishing up in Sydney, the crew is headed to Papua New Guinea.

While the cutter’s primary purpose in Sydney was for “logistics” and preparing for its next leg in Papua New Guinea, examples of its operations include helping nation’s like Tuvalu patrolling its waters “at their requests”.

“We operate out here in the Pacific at the invitation of our allies and partners,” Captain Rooney said.

Landing deck of the cutter. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

“So we’ll fill requested roles that are asked, the primary mission is to support nations ... working on their national sovereign issues.”

HMAS Kuttabul Commanding Officer Captain Rebecca Levitt said it was a “great privilege” to host the cutter, giving Australia the perfect opportunity to “practice our interoperability” and ensure the countries national security.

Originally published as US Coastguard ship unaffected by Chinese warships while en route to Sydney