The United States Coast Guard Cutter William Hart welcomed 60 students from the National University of Samoa's School of Maritime Studies for a special onboard tour during a refuelling stop on its way to Hawaii.

“They were great, eager to learn, and I understand that they don't have a lot of opportunities to get on ships.  It' was great,” said Lieutenant Junior Grade Amanda Dennis, the ship's executive officer.

“We have a lot of great technology on board for the students to look at. They asked lots of questions, and we were eager to get more people into the maritime community because we definitely need more support." 

The students on the tour were in their first year at the Maritime Academy. The main objective of this visit was to help them see the ship from the perspective of a maritime student, rather than as passengers.

The students were given a guided tour of the vessel, offering them a closer look at US Coast Guard operations and life at sea. The event was part of a broader engagement initiative during the cutter’s fuel stop in Samoa, aimed at building connections and fostering regional cooperation.  

"This is a great opportunity for us,” said Lieutenant Junior Grade Amanda Dennis

 “Whenever we pull into port, it gives our team a chance to rest, explore the beautiful country, and connect with the community through visits like this. We don’t usually spend much time docked, so these moments are meaningful,” she said.

The US maritime enforcement team is intensifying efforts to combat illegal fishing across the Hawaiian Islands and the South Pacific. The primary focus in Hawaiian waters is cracking down on unauthorised fishing activities, while further south, the team is working under bilateral agreements with nations including Fiji and Tonga. Although Samoa is not part of this particular mission, the vessel made a logistical stop there for fuel and supplies.

The operation is not limited to fisheries. The crew are also on alert for vessels potentially transporting narcotics, while remaining ready for search and rescue missions at sea. With a state-of-the-art vessel capable of covering vast distances, the crew remains committed to protecting maritime resources and maintaining security across the Pacific.

“This is a very active region, with strategic importance not only for fisheries but for broader economic stability,” said a crew member involved in the patrol. “Our mission here is both enforcement and collaboration.” The team has been boarding vessels to inspect compliance with international and local regulations. 

“We’ve been getting on board and finding that crews are following all the proper procedures,” a spokesperson added. “That’s exactly the kind of outcome we want, lawful and sustainable fishing operations.” 

Samoa, in particular, has received positive recognition from the team for maintaining responsible fishing practices and supporting economic sustainability.

Aboard their vessel, a dedicated crew of 27 personnel maintains operational readiness during extended patrols across the Pacific. Operating at a steady pace of around 10 knots, their current mission spans approximately 46 days, with the longest continuous stretch at sea reaching nine days between landfalls. The voyage from Samoa to Honolulu includes brief stops, but extended periods at sea test endurance and camaraderie.