Tonga and New Zealand are working together to ensure safer seas for Pacific communities, the New Zealand High Commission (NZHC) in Tonga said in a statement on social media.
The Maritime New Zealand conducted vessel handling training with Tonga Police and the Ministry of Fisheries last month. The training focused on using patrol and rescue boats, emergency procedures, and safety equipment. Practical sessions included launching and retrieving boats, close-quarters manoeuvring, boarding techniques, and towing.
This collaboration is part of the Pacific Maritime Safety Programme, a partnership between New Zealand and Tonga that began in 2012. The program aims to improve maritime safety through training, enhanced search and rescue operations, and oil spill response capabilities.
The New Zealand High Commission emphasized the importance of these efforts for the safety and security of Tonga’s coastal communities.
Source: NZHC in Tonga
