(PRESS RELEASE)- At the request of the Government of Samoa, naval vessels from Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom will support CHOGM Samoa 2024, working alongside Samoa Police, Prisons and Corrections Services (SPPCS).
From 15 October 2024, Royal Australian Navy ship HMAS Choules, Royal New Zealand Navy ship HMNZS Canterbury, and Royal Navy ship HMS Tamar will commence activities in Samoa’s waters in support of SPPCS security measures.
In the lead up to CHOGM, the vessels will unload critical stores in Apia Harbour and conduct rehearsals with SPPCS before dispersing to their operational locations around Upolu. During the event, the vessels will host SPPCS ship-riders to provide an extra layer of maritime security.
HMAS Choules, which last visited Apia in July 2024, will be home to over 100 Pacific police members from 11 nations for CHOGM week. The crew is grateful to have experienced Samoan hospitality ahead of their CHOGM deployment, and they look forward to supporting this significant event for Samoa, and the Commonwealth.
HMNZS Canterbury has deployed with three Royal New Zealand Air Force NH90 helicopters embarked as part of the security and aviation support to Samoa in hosting CHOGM. HMNZS Canterbury was last in Samoa in June 2012 during a visit to a number of Pacific nations. In total, the New Zealand Defence Force is deploying 260 personnel to support Samoa during CHOGM.
Royal Navy ship HMS Tamar’s deployment to Samoa for CHOGM continues her two-plus years operating in the Pacific. As part of the UK’s long-term support to the region, HMS Tamar has been working in a variety of roles to ensure maritime security, including providing humanitarian assistance and countering illegal fishing.
