I would like to respond to Olivier’s email of April 28, 2022, copied below.
1) S V ‘Oxygen’ was in breach of Cook Is Maritime Border regulations as the maritime border was closed to all vessels at the time (arrival 18 April).
2) S V ‘Oxygen’ made no attempt to inform Cook Islands authorities and / or the Palmerston Is authorities declaring an emergency need to stop over in Palmerston.
All other genuine vessels in distress requiring assistance, rest or repairs that have stopped over in Palmerston since the closure of our maritime borders in 2020/2021 had the courtesy to make contact beforehand and we have attempted to assist them as is possible under restrictions.
3) The Palmerston Is police officer contacted SV Oxygen’ the next morning (19 April) informing it of the border closure, as to the vessel’s intention and that they are not to disembark and they need to depart as per the regulations.
4) In this instance this vessel got off lightly without any prosecution being pursued.
5) In reference to the state of mooring lines, you tie up to them at your own risk. Note we have been closed for 2 years (2020, 2021) NO MOORING LINES HAVE BEEN CHECKED OR MAINTAINED SINCE because there has been no need to. This is what happens when you just show up thinking you have full entitlement to call into Palmerston Is when the Cook Islands maritime border is closed.
6) NOTE – Cook Is Maritime Border has been opened since May 1st 2022.
Palmerston Island is not a Port of Call. Regrettably no approval will be granted to any vessel seeking to visit Palmerston Island in 2022. At this stage Palmerston Island Government does not have the capacity to satisfy national health, biosecurity, customs, immigration and security agencies processes. This will be reviewed again in early 2023. Once national agencies are satisfied with our capacity to undertake these processes we will give notification.
Regards,
Arthur Neale
Executive Officer
Palmerston Island Administration