Exercise Coastwatchers is developing small boat and maritime skills for Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) personnel from foundation to advanced levels, producing qualified operators as well as leaders and instructors who will teach future generations.

RSIPF Constable Moses Karui from Auki completed Exercise Coastwatchers in 2025 and has returned for his second Coastwatchers, building his skills as part of the advanced course. 

Acting as an instructor to new students alongside Australian Army counterparts, Constable Karui said he was very excited to return to Coastwatchers for the advanced course, which allowed him to help bridge the language gap between instructors and students. 

“We came back for the advanced course to learn as instructors and to help the ADF. We support translating to Pijin to help the students understand and give the right information fast,” he said. 

“I feel proud to return, to be recognised as instructors for Solomon Island RSIPF.”  

To test their skills, the students completed a full mission profile, tasked to conduct search and rescue for a missing fisherman, supported by students from the Coastwatchers drone surveillance course.

The students had to plan the route, calculating travel time, speed and required fuel, as well as possible weather effects and what safety equipment and supplies would be needed.

Once planning was complete, the students received a safety brief from Constable Karui, then prepared their boats and took off to complete the mission. 

'The best thing I’ve learned during this training is about the safety on board. It’s very important to prepare ahead towards our mission, preparing all of our equipment in case we meet dangers on our way.'

This was RSIPF Constable Castro Roramae’s first Exercise Coastwatchers. He was the leader for the full mission profile and said it was challenging, but a great opportunity and experience. 

“I’m really enjoying it. I’ve learned a lot of things, especially parts of the boat engine and how to approach and deal with problems when at sea,” Constable Roramae said. 

“It’s my first time so it was a little bit hard for me being the leader for the search mission, but we worked together as a team and it was very easy because we’re learning from each other.”

Maritime safety and preparation stood out as one of the most important lessons for Constable Roramae. 

“The best thing I’ve learned during this training is about the safety on board. It’s very important to prepare ahead towards our mission, preparing all of our equipment in case we meet dangers on our way.”

Constable Roramae said the experience helped to build his confidence and practical skills, particularly for his role in Auki.

“Right now, I feel like I have something in me that I will carry back to my workplace to help the Auki Police,” he said.

“I’d really like to return for the advanced course.”