‘Great port of call’: US Coast Guard endorses Cairns as key strategic destination

Drug smugglers, human traffickers and illegal fishermen will come under increased pressure from the US Coast Guard across the Pacific with Cairns playing a crucial strategic role in operations.

The US Coast Guard's Lieutenant Channing Meyer, Australian Border Force's Deputy Commander Neil Horne, Royal Australian Navy's Michael Gulyas, Commander Nicole Tesoniero and US Consul General Christine Elder aboard the USGC Harriet Lane in Cairns. Image: Samuel Davis

Drug smugglers, human traffickers and illegal fishermen will come under increased pressure from the US Coast Guard across the Pacific, with Cairns playing a crucial strategic role in operations.

The USCGC Harriet Lane docked in Trinity Inlet on Thursday with crew to remain in the Far North across the weekend, before heading to Papua New Guinea early next week.

The 82m vessel will work in partnership with allied nations to impose “rules-based order” in the region as part of Operation Blue Pacific patrol, Lieutenant Channing Meyer said.

“The Coast Guard’s number one maritime threat is illegal, unregulated and undocumented fishing as well as being good partners with Pacific island countries,” Lt Meyer said.

“We also (apprehend anyone involved in) drug smuggling, human trafficking, all crimes of the high seas. That’s what we’re here to do – enforce laws.”

The city can play a pivotal role in keeping watch across Oceania, Lt Meyer said, who added the current operation wasn’t related to geopolitical tension between the United States and China.

“It’s an excellent port in the northeastern part of Australia with the closest nexus to the rest of the Pacific,” he said.

“In terms of logistics, personnel movement, Cairns is a great jumping point for all those things.

US Coast Guard sentinel class fast response cutter ship Oliver Henry departs the Cairns naval base HMAS Cairns, navigating Trinity Inlet and heading out towards the Coral Sea in September 2022. Picture: Brendan Radke

“Cairns is conveniently placed and a great port of call.

“The goal is a continued presence in the region. I expect to see a lot more Coast Guard in Australia, specifically Cairns.”

On its journey north, USGC Harriet Lane will work with Australian Border Force in patrolling domestic waters.

“ABF officers will be utilising the assistance of the US Coast Guard to undertake their duties,” ABF Deputy Commmander Neil Horne said.

Tailoring its partnership to meet the objectives of Australia’s nearest international neighbour was an important next step, Commander Nicole Tesoneiro said.

“We want to make sure that this is as robust a partnership as it can be,” Commmander Tesoneirto said.

“So, first we need to identify what those needs are and then build an adaptive package that fits PNG’s needs as with other Pacific island countries that we work with.

“It’s going to be adaptive and responsive to the needs of specific countries.”

The cutter, which can carry up to 100 seamen, shifted from Portsmouth, Virginia to Honolulu, Hawaii in January.

This move represents the Coast Guard’s desire to work alongside allies and partner nations within the Oceania region with a focus on advising, training, joint deployments, and capacity building in the region.

USGC Harriet Lane will return to the US late next month.

Originally published as ‘Great port of call’: US Coast Guard endorses Cairns as key strategic destination