U.S. Coast Guard cutter promotes regional security in the Pacific with Papua New Guinea > United States Coast Guard News > Press Releases

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East New Britain Province Governor Michael Marum and members from the East New Britian Province government, Papua New Guinea pose with crew from the Coast Guard Cutter Midgett (WMSL 757) on the flight deck in Rabaul, Papua New Guinea March 17, 2025. Midgett is deployed to Oceania to advance relationships with partner nations to build a more free, open and resilient region. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Jennifer Nilson)

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U.S. Coast Guard and Papua New Guinea shipriders conduct bilateral boardings

East New Britain Province Governor Michael Marum and members from the East New Britian Province government, Papua New Guinea pose with crew from the Coast Guard Cutter Midgett (WMSL 757) on the flight deck in Rabaul, Papua New Guinea March 17, 2025. Midgett is deployed to Oceania to advance relationships with partner nations to build a more free, open and resilient region. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Jennifer Nilson)

Representatives from the Papua New Guinea Customs Service and the East New Britian Province government, smile on the bridge of Coast Guard Cutter Midgett (WMSL 757), Mar. 17, 2025. The United States and Papua New Guinea share a relationship that is based on trust and mutual interests, with a long history of defense partnerships, commercial links, and people-to-people ties. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Jennifer Nilson)

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U.S. Coast Guard and Papua New Guinea shipriders conduct bilateral boardings

Representatives from the Papua New Guinea Customs Service and the East New Britian Province government, smile on the bridge of Coast Guard Cutter Midgett (WMSL 757), Mar. 17, 2025. The United States and Papua New Guinea share a relationship that is based on trust and mutual interests, with a long history of defense partnerships, commercial links, and people-to-people ties. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Jennifer Nilson)

Seaman Calista Turman, a boarding team member on Coast Guard Cutter Midgett (WMSL 757), prepares to conduct fisheries boardings with Papua New Guinea shipriders in Papua New Guinea’s Exclusive Economic Zone under the bilateral agreement, Mar. 15, 2025. U.S. Coast Guard cutter deployments promote interoperability with our allies and partners. Cutters like Midgett and their well-trained crews bolster integrated maritime governance capacity in Oceania. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Jennifer Nilson)

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U.S. Coast Guard and Papua New Guinea shipriders conduct bilateral boardings

Seaman Calista Turman, a boarding team member on Coast Guard Cutter Midgett (WMSL 757), prepares to conduct fisheries boardings with Papua New Guinea shipriders in Papua New Guinea’s Exclusive Economic Zone under the bilateral agreement, Mar. 15, 2025. U.S. Coast Guard cutter deployments promote interoperability with our allies and partners. Cutters like Midgett and their well-trained crews bolster integrated maritime governance capacity in Oceania. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Jennifer Nilson)

Midshipmen Charles Aisi, a Papua New Guinea Defense Force ship rider sits on a 26-foot over-the-horizon cutter boat on the Coast Guard Cutter Midgett (WMSL 757) in the Papua New Guinea exclusive economic zone, Mar. 13, 2025. The United States and Papua New Guinea share a relationship that is based on trust and mutual interests, with a long history of defense partnerships, commercial links, and people-to-people ties. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Jennifer Nilson)

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U.S. Coast Guard and Papua New Guinea shipriders conduct bilateral boardings

Midshipmen Charles Aisi, a Papua New Guinea Defense Force ship rider sits on a 26-foot over-the-horizon cutter boat on the Coast Guard Cutter Midgett (WMSL 757) in the Papua New Guinea exclusive economic zone, Mar. 13, 2025. The United States and Papua New Guinea share a relationship that is based on trust and mutual interests, with a long history of defense partnerships, commercial links, and people-to-people ties. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Jennifer Nilson)

Petty Officer 3rd Class Andy Nava, a boatswain’s mate aboard the Coast Guard Cutter Midgett (WMSL 757) and Mathew Gati with Papua New Guinea Customs Service, stand on the boat deck before departing for fisheries boardings in Papua New Guinea, Mar. 13, 2025. Midgett is deployed to Oceania to advance relationships with ally and partner nations to build a more free, open and resilient region. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Jennifer Nilson)

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U.S. Coast Guard and Papua New Guinea shipriders conduct bilateral boardings

Petty Officer 3rd Class Andy Nava, a boatswain’s mate aboard the Coast Guard Cutter Midgett (WMSL 757) and Mathew Gati with Papua New Guinea Customs Service, stand on the boat deck before departing for fisheries boardings in Papua New Guinea, Mar. 13, 2025. Midgett is deployed to Oceania to advance relationships with ally and partner nations to build a more free, open and resilient region. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Jennifer Nilson)

Petty Officer 1st Class Michael Midgette, a maritime enforcement specialist assigned to Coast Guard Cutter Midgett (WMSL 757) and Kemi Gati, a Papua New Guinea (PNG) fisheries officer, prepare for a boarding on the 26-foot over-the-horizon cutter boat in PNG’s exclusive economic zone, Mar. 11, 2025. A secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific requires working closely with committed partners such as Papua New Guinea to promote maritime governance through an international rules-based order. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Jennifer Nilson)

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U.S. Coast Guard and Papua New Guinea shipriders conduct bilateral boardings

Petty Officer 1st Class Michael Midgette, a maritime enforcement specialist assigned to Coast Guard Cutter Midgett (WMSL 757) and Kemi Gati, a Papua New Guinea (PNG) fisheries officer, prepare for a boarding on the 26-foot over-the-horizon cutter boat in PNG’s exclusive economic zone, Mar. 11, 2025. A secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific requires working closely with committed partners such as Papua New Guinea to promote maritime governance through an international rules-based order. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Jennifer Nilson)

Coast Guard Cutter Midgett’s (WMSL 757) law enforcement team and Papua New Guinea shipriders return after a boarding in Papua New Guinea’s exclusive economic zone, Mar. 11, 2025. Papua New Guinea lies in the heart of key shipping routes and lucrative fisheries. The U.S. Coast Guard and Papua New Guinea collaborate to mitigate shared maritime challenges and threats, promoting regional security and stability within Oceania. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Jennifer Nilson)

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U.S. Coast Guard and Papua New Guinea shipriders conduct bilateral boardings

Coast Guard Cutter Midgett’s (WMSL 757) law enforcement team and Papua New Guinea shipriders return after a boarding in Papua New Guinea’s exclusive economic zone, Mar. 11, 2025. Papua New Guinea lies in the heart of key shipping routes and lucrative fisheries. The U.S. Coast Guard and Papua New Guinea collaborate to mitigate shared maritime challenges and threats, promoting regional security and stability within Oceania. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Jennifer Nilson)

RABAUL, Papua New Guinea – The U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Midgett (WMSL 757) recently concluded its second port call in Papua New Guinea (PNG), following nine days of shiprider operations with representatives from the PNG Defence Force, PNG Customs Service, and PNG National Fisheries Authority.

Midgett was invited by the Papua New Guinea government to participate in the operation. The PNG shipriders led the mission by selecting vessels of interests and conducting boardings while the U.S. Coast Guard provided ship based and shoreside support. The successful shiprider operations reinforced the importance of deepening and expanding strong bilateral relationships.

During the nine-day operation, Midgett facilitated six at-sea inspections within the PNG Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) under the PNG-U.S. bilateral agreement. The U.S Coast Guard and PNG’s bilateral maritime law enforcement agreements enhance PNG sovereignty with the capacity to enforce PNG’s maritime laws through shared information exchanges and joint patrols that deter illegal activities and malign behavior in PNG’s EEZ.

While in Rabaul, Midgett hosted a key leadership engagement with the East New Britain Governor, Michael Marum, and PNG fisheries stakeholders. During the engagement, members of Midgett and PNG representatives participated in roundtable discussions focused on PNG-U.S. bilateral agreements and security within the PNG EEZ and received a tour of the cutter.

Midgett crewmembers visited a local school to participate in sports and seamanship activities. Midgett also hosted students on board, allowing students to learn about shipboard life and participated in firefighting training.

Commissioned in 2019 and homeported in Honolulu, Midgett is the eighth Legend-class National Security Cutter. At 418-feet, these cutters are the largest and most capable in the U.S. Coast Guard fleet. Equipped with advanced technology, they are ideally suited to support a wide range of missions, including maritime security, law enforcement, and search and rescue operations.

USCG Pacific PNG Oceania IUUF

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