The U.S. Embassy here hosted a roundtable discussion on maritime law enforcement.
A tour and lunch aboard the USS Crommelin followed the discussion.
Attendees of the meeting included: William D. Douglas, deputy chief of mission, U.S. Embassy Kolonia; Capt. Kevin Parker, commander of the USS Crommelin; Assistant Secretary Gabriel Ayin, FSM Department of Foreign Affairs; Polei Atanraoi, assistant attorney general, FSM Department of Justice; Bernard Thoulag, executive director, FSM National Oceanic Resources and Management Authority; Pius Chotailug, chief, FSM national police; Lt. Cmdr. Stuart Peter, CO FSS Micronesia; Lt. Cmdr. Paul Ruhl, advisor to the FSM Maritime Wing, Australian Navy; Michael Murray, advisor, Micronesia Transnational Crime Unit; and Capt. Johnny Santos, Micronesia Transnational Crime Unit.
Crewmembers also participated in a community relations project with the Kolonia Town hall.
Ten shipmates from the USS Crommelin joined members of the Pohnpei community to paint the bleachers at the Spanish Wall softball field and enjoy a barbeque lunch.
Of the shipmates, there were two natives of FSM, including the son of Kosrae Gov. Robert Weilbacher.
Kolonia Mayor Marcelo Peterson and Pohnpei acting Gov. Churchill Edward were also among the attendees.
The USS Crommelin is working with the 14th U.S. Coast Guard District to provide maritime surveillance in the Exclusive Economic Zones of the Western and Central Pacific Ocean.
Commanding officer Kevin Parker mentioned that this is the first time a U.S. Navy ship has assisted in maritime surveillance and enforcement while transiting the Pacific.
He emphasized the importance of U.S. relations with Pacific island countries, of working together to monitor and deter illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing in the Pacific.
Parker said he was impressed with the “warm and open” community of Pohnpei and expressed interest in returning to the state.
The USS Crommelin is an Oliver Hazard Perry-class guided-missile frigate and is assigned to Destroyer Squadron 31. Its homeport is Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. The ship’s next stop will be Guam.
