When Cook Islands' Lieutenant Commander Tuariki Henry was growing up on the island of Aitutaki, being on the ocean was his passion.
From a young age he wanted a job at sea where he could give back to his community and keep them safe.
Because of this, both he and his older brother Kau joined the Police Service, and the proud Cook Islander is now the commanding officer of the Guardian-class patrol boat Te Kukupa II. This patrol boat ensures the maritime security of his homeland and is a lifeline for many of the Cook Islands' 14,000 residents.
"Some of our islands do not have airports, so if there is a pregnant woman or any medical emergency on an island, we pick her up and bring her to the mainland," the father-of-two said.
"The ship acts as the water ambulance. We are the lifeline.
"Our core role is to protect our fisheries, but we also support search and rescue and help other agencies such as customs and health."
With 100 members in its Police Service, and only 25 personnel in its maritime division, the Cook Islands works closely with its Pacific neighbours, such as its partnership with the Australian Government for the patrol vessel.
The Pacific Response Group, a multinational military unit providing humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) to Pacific Island nations, is another way the Pacific family cares for its own.
'Some of our islands do not have airports so if there is a pregnant woman or any medical emergency on an island we pick her up and bring her to the mainland.'
It comprises Australia, Fiji, France, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and Tonga, whose militaries provide expertise in areas including operations, military engineering, health and logistics.
"It is comforting to know there is that support," Lieutenant Commander Henry said.
"The threat of cyclones and tsunamis is real and we can reach out for help when we need."
Lieutenant Commander Henry, a former diver who has been in the Police Service for 24 years, did his maritime warfare training at HMAS Watson in Australia.
Recently, he and his crew of 18 were in French Polynesia to participate in the French-led Exercise Marara.
The training exercise brings together about 1000 military personnel from 13 nations to practise HADR activities on Tahiti and the remote islands of Makemo and Hao, including medical evacuations, airdrops of supplies and stability operations.
Officer in Charge of Exercise Marara Lieutenant Colonel Julien said on remote islands "resilience is built through relationships and trust".
"These activities will help us understand how to operate across islands where resources are limited and coordination must be precise," Lieutenant Colonel Julien said.
Te Kukupa II is the only non-French vessel in the exercise with four French warships.
"We have important work to secure our maritime area and recently did 13 boarding inspections," Lieutenant Commander Henry said.
"But our most important goal is safety - the safety of this government asset and bringing our crew home to their families."
