On September 29, 1985, the Rainbow Warrior II, accompanied by anti-nuclear demonstrators with placards, arrived in Suva Harbour to protest the docking of a French research vessel. The Rainbow Warrior II was quickly named by members of the Fiji Anti-Nuclear Group (FANG) as part of their efforts against the French ship, the Jean Charcot, after being blocked from accessing the wharf by the Ports Authority of Fiji security.
Security measures were stringent, preventing even those with official passes from accessing the wharf. The Fiji Times reported that special branch police were present while the Ports Authority security officers denied entry to many individuals. Additionally, some special branch officers were aboard the Jean Charcot. A reporter with an official press pass was also barred from entering.
Maikeli Rokovue, a PAF security officer, stated he was instructed to deny entry to everyone. Despite being turned away when four FANG members, including leader Iliesa Duvuloco, attempted to protest on the wharf, the group did not give up. They chartered a small launch, naming it Rainbow Warrior II, and approached the Jean Charcot from the water, evading the PAF security.
The launch maneuvered alongside the Jean Charcot as protesters shouted peace slogans and displayed signs reading “Stop Nuclear Testing in Pacific” and “Test in Paris.” Duvuloco expressed his group’s concern over the French vessel’s presence in Suva Harbour while Russian vessels faced prohibitions.