VLADIVOSTOK, Russia – The crew of the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Jarvis, a 378-foot cutter homeported in Honolulu, took part in an international Multilateral, Multi-mission Exercise along with Coast Guards and other maritime security agencies from China, Japan, Russia and South Korea, August 21 to August 27 in Vladivostok, Russia.
MMEX 2010, hosted by the Russian Border Guard Service, is a week-long international exercise designed to promote communication, planning, interoperability and goodwill between the member nations of the North Pacific Coast Guard Forum.
The crew of the Jarvis participated in several underway exercises including a coordinated effort between the Japan Coast Guard and Russian Border Guard Service to intercept and board a simulated suspect cargo vessel. The Jarvis crew also took part in damage control, communications, joint vessel boardings, small boat operations and search and rescue.
The crew of the Jarvis hosted a formal gathering aboard the cutter where Capt. Webster Balding, commanding officer of the cutter Jarvis, welcomed and presented gifts to the delegates and captains from all the participating nations. Jarvis crewmembers also participated in soccer and tug-of-war competitions during an international sports day and took first place in the weight lifting competition.
“The exercise strengthened the multi-national relationships between our maritime agencies, provided valuable opportunities to share best practices and increase our law enforcement and search and rescue interoperability,” said Balding. “Through the continuation of these multi-national exercises, we will build on the progress we have made. Working together to increase cooperation and coordination, we will enhance maritime safety and security and protect living marine resources throughout the North Pacific Ocean,” he said.
Dozens of Jarvis crew members also volunteered at the Parus Nadhezdy Children’s Rehabilitation Center and at a children’s cancer ward. The crew played games, and participated in arts and crafts activities with the children and donated U.S. Coast Guard T-shirts and toys.
Jarvis will return to a 120-day North Pacific Ocean patrol to enforce the international sanctions on high seas drift net fishing, a destructive form of fishing that can have a devastating impact on living and natural resources in the Pacific.
