On September 29, 1985, the Rainbow Warrior II, accompanied by anti-nuclear demonstrators waving placards, arrived in Suva Harbour to protest the docking of a French research vessel. The Rainbow Warrior II, a small launch, was quickly named by members of the Fiji Anti-Nuclear Group (FANG) to serve as a protest boat against the French ship Jean Charcot. Port Authority of Fiji security had restricted access, preventing protesters from reaching the wharf.
Security measures were stringent, with even individuals holding official permits being denied entry. According to reports, special branch police were present while Port Authority security officers turned people away. Notably, a journalist with an official press pass was also barred from accessing the wharf.
A Port Authority security officer named Maikeli Rokovue explained that he had been instructed to refuse entry to everyone. When four members of FANG, led by Iliesa Duvuloco, attempted to protest on the wharf, they were also turned away. Undeterred, the group hired a small launch and successfully approached the Jean Charcot from the water.
The protesters maneuvered alongside the Jean Charcot, shouting peace slogans and displaying placards that read “Stop Nuclear Testing in Pacific” and “Test in Paris.” Duvuloco later expressed his group’s concerns about why a French vessel was permitted into Suva Harbour while Russian vessels were banned.