A well-prepared Samoa is a safe Samoa!
That was the message that was portrayed today, Wednesday 29 October 2025 at a rescue operation exercise initiated under the Pacific Partnership 2025.
The drill simulated a ship departing Samoa for Pago Pago, American Samoa when it was suddenly caught in a severe squall.
The vessel eventually sinks leading to frontliners stepping in to save lives and protect the environment in the event of an oil spill.
Samoa joined by the USA, New Zealand, Australia, and France took part in rescue operations saving crew and passengers at sea and
bringing them in for medical attention.
Speaking to the media on Wednesday morning, Samoa Fire and Emergency Authority (SFESA) Commissioner Tanuvasa Petone Mauga said the exercise brings together Ministries such as the Ministry of Work, Transport, and Infrustructure, Samoa Police Services, SFESA, and the Disaster Management Office of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Samoa Immigration Office of the Ministry of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (MPMC) and Red Cross.
Partners from the USA, New Zealand, Australia, and France were present to conduct trainings, assist and also advice what areas
should be a priority.
The first part of the exercise was saving the lives of crew and passengers from a maritime incident while the second part was to show what to do in the event of an oil spillage to ensure the safety of the environment.
This is not the first time that this drill has taken place as Tanuvasa confirmed.
They also had a similar exercise before the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) last year.
The SFESA Commissioner added that the drill gives them the opportunity to use equipment as natural disasters do not happen daily, and serve as new capacity building for new employees.
The training will run for two days with the exercise taking place on day one and the second day gives them time to go over the exercise and discuss ways they can improve their response.
The exercise was carried out as part of a request by the MNRE also chair of the Disaster Advisory Committee stemming from desire to learn from past responses ensuring best practices are utilized improving Samoa’s future response capabilities.
Eventually the outcome will identify response gaps and areas for improvement.
BACKGROUND
The Pacific Partnership 2025 is the largest yearly multinational humanitarian assistance and disaster management preparedness mission carried out in the Indo-Pacific regions.
It focuses on enhancing regional cooperation and disaster response capabilities.
Photos Source: Lopajoyce Fiti and Perolini Numia
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