OMSI patrol conducts enforcement boardings in Western Pacific

A U.S. Coast Guard law enforcement detachment embarked aboard a U.S. Navy littoral combat ship conducted maritime law enforcement boardings in the Western Pacific, April 29 and May 3.

The Coast Guard law enforcement detachment from the Pacific Tactical Law Enforcement Team, embarked aboard Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Tulsa (LCS 16), used an 11-meter rigid hull inflatable boat to conduct multiple high seas boardings and inspections.

These inspections are said to be in accordance with the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Convention’s (WCPFC) standard operating procedures.

“One of the greatest challenges when operating in the Pacific is the vast distances involved,” said Lt. Cmdr. Jessica Conway, a current operations officer with the U.S. Coast Guard 14th District.

“The ability to integrate with the Navy allows us to cover a much larger area with our enforcement operations combating illegal fishing and transnational crime while also promoting interoperability between the services.”

The joint mission conducts maritime law enforcement operations through the enforcement of international law in order to protect United States and Pacific Island Nations’ resource security and sovereignty.

The Oceania Maritime Security Initiative (OMSI) program is a Secretary of Defense program that leverages Department of Defense assets transiting the region to improve maritime security and maritime domain awareness, ultimately supporting regional stability and partnerships in Oceania.

The joint OMSI mission improves maritime security and maritime domain awareness by enabling U.S. Coast Guard law enforcement personnel to conduct maritime law enforcement operations from U.S. Navy assets in coordination with the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission.