General News
14 July, 2026
US Coast Guard cutter visits Cairns
THE United States Coast Guard Cutter Harriet Lane has visited Cairns as part of its Operation Blue Pacific deployment, with Australian and U.S. commanders highlighting the importance of regional cooperation in maintaining security across the Indo-Pacific.
THE United States Coast Guard Cutter Harriet Lane has visited Cairns as part of its Operation Blue Pacific deployment, with Australian and U.S. commanders highlighting the importance of regional cooperation in maintaining security across the Indo-Pacific.
The 270-foot (83-metre) medium-endurance cutter, homeported in Pearl Harbour, Hawaii, has spent two days in Cairns before continuing its patrol through the Pacific.
Commanding Officer Commander Justin M. Matejka said the vessel regularly deployed for up to two and a half months, working alongside Pacific Island nations and partners, including Australia, to strengthen maritime governance.
"So, Coast Guard cutter Harriet Lane. She's 43 years young. She is a medium-endurance cutter, 270 feet (83 metres) in length. We deploy out of Pearl Harbour, Hawaii. We typically do two to two and a half month deployments into the Oceania region, where we partner and engage with local partners or Pacific Island countries to build capacity, to build interoperability, and to uphold maritime governance to ensure that the Pacific is free, open and prosperous," Commander Matejka said.
The cutter carries a crew of more than 100 and will stock around three weeks' worth of food from Cairns, including canned supplies as well as fresh milk and bread.
Commander Matejka said maintaining a visible presence in the Pacific helped deter illegal activity.
"It's extremely important. So, without presence, bad actors and other things feel more comfortable operating within the region. So, the more present and the more visible that we are, especially as partners, that is the key to getting after bad actors within the region, whether that's environmental problems, fisheries, or other illicit activities like drugs," he said.
The cutter undertakes a range of missions including search and rescue, fisheries enforcement, maritime law enforcement and environmental protection.
"We can do everything except break ice," Commander Matejka said.
Commander Andrew Thorpe, Commanding Officer of HMAS Cairns, said the visit reinforced the close relationship between the Australian Defence Force and the U.S. Coast Guard.
"Having a relationship with the United States Coast Guard really assists us in our mission within the Pacific Islands. As the commanding officer said, working collaboratively, our strength is increased," Commander Thorpe said.
He said visits such as Harriet Lane's helped build relationships between personnel from both countries while developing shared knowledge that supported maritime security across the Indo-Pacific.
Following its Cairns visit, Harriet Lane will continue its Operation Blue Pacific deployment, with Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands among its next planned engagements as it works with regional partners to strengthen maritime cooperation and capacity.
