EU Naval Force Warship FGS Berlin Conducts Local Maritime Capacity Building in the Seychelles in support of EUCAP Nestor
Three Local Maritime Capacity Building (LMCB) activities have taken place during EU Naval Force Warship FGS Berlin’s recent port visit to the Seychelles. LMCBs are conducted by the European Union to build the capacity of security forces of regional partners in the fight against piracy, supporting further training provided by EUCAP Nestor.
Firstly on 25 August firefighting training was conducted for the Seychelles Coast Guard. This included instructions on the right use of various fire extinguishers, techniques on how to open (hot) doors, and the different roles of members of the firefighting team. The roles are “initial attack”, i.e the first person on the scene; the “support party”, a team dedicated and appropriately equipped with flame retardant suits and oxygen masks; and the “boundary cooling party”, who are responsible for cooling the surrounding area so that a fire cannot spread. The training culminated in a fire exercise for the members of the Seychelles Coastguard.
Secondly on 26 August Seychelles Coast Guard personnel attended a one day workshop focusing on handling medical emergencies onboard maritime vessels. This workshop included methods of finding a casualty, first aid training, how to handle and transport a patient, how to help a person after near drowning and hypothermia, as well as how to deal with a person in shock.
Both training events went well and a member of the Seychelles Coast Guard Private J. Hoareau stated at the end of the session “The training is very helpful. In the past two days I have attained much knowledge.” The teams from the Seychelles were praised by members of FGS Berlin for the enthusiasm and interest, “We are very proud of you and we are very impressed. You were a great audience,” stated Lieutenant Colonel Anja from the FGS Berlin.
Finally on 26 August a workshop was organised for personnel from the Seychelles Coast Guard and Air Force onboard FGS Berlin. This specific workshop covered the background and use of the Mercury system. The Mercury system is an internet-based secure communication network used as an alert and coordination tool by all anti-piracy stakeholders, and is used by Seychelles maritime authorities. Topics covered during the workshop were the general history of Mercury, build-up of Mercury users, access and operational use of the system.
This exercise was an excellent opportunity to enhance skills, coordination and communication amongst the different elements of the Seychelles Defence Forces, and with international partners, like the European Union.
EUCAP Nestor is a civilian mission, under the Common Security and Defense Policy of the European Union, mandated to assist countries of the Horn of Africa and Western Indian Ocean develop their capacities and capabilities to ensure maritime security, in particular counter-piracy and maritime governance.
EU Naval Force Somalia is the EU’s counter-piracy Operation Atalanta. Operation Atalanta deters, prevents and represses acts of piracy and armed robbery off the coast of Somalia. EU Naval Force ships protect World Food Programme vessels delivering aid to Somalia and AMISOM shipping. EU Naval Force ships also contribute to the monitoring of fishing activity off the Somali Coast.
Three Local Maritime Capacity Building (LMCB) activities have taken place during EU Naval Force Warship FGS Berlin’s recent port visit to the Seychelles. LMCBs are conducted by the European Union to build the capacity of security forces of regional partners in the fight against piracy, supporting further training provided by EUCAP Nestor.
Firstly on 25 August firefighting training was conducted for the Seychelles Coast Guard. This included instructions on the right use of various fire extinguishers, techniques on how to open (hot) doors, and the different roles of members of the firefighting team. The roles are “initial attack”, i.e the first person on the scene; the “support party”, a team dedicated and appropriately equipped with flame retardant suits and oxygen masks; and the “boundary cooling party”, who are responsible for cooling the surrounding area so that a fire cannot spread. The training culminated in a fire exercise for the members of the Seychelles Coastguard.
Secondly on 26 August Seychelles Coast Guard personnel attended a one day workshop focusing on handling medical emergencies onboard maritime vessels. This workshop included methods of finding a casualty, first aid training, how to handle and transport a patient, how to help a person after near drowning and hypothermia, as well as how to deal with a person in shock.
Both training events went well and a member of the Seychelles Coast Guard Private J. Hoareau stated at the end of the session “The training is very helpful. In the past two days I have attained much knowledge.” The teams from the Seychelles were praised by members of FGS Berlin for the enthusiasm and interest, “We are very proud of you and we are very impressed. You were a great audience,” stated Lieutenant Colonel Anja from the FGS Berlin.
Finally on 26 August a workshop was organised for personnel from the Seychelles Coast Guard and Air Force onboard FGS Berlin. This specific workshop covered the background and use of the Mercury system. The Mercury system is an internet-based secure communication network used as an alert and coordination tool by all anti-piracy stakeholders, and is used by Seychelles maritime authorities. Topics covered during the workshop were the general history of Mercury, build-up of Mercury users, access and operational use of the system.
This exercise was an excellent opportunity to enhance skills, coordination and communication amongst the different elements of the Seychelles Defence Forces, and with international partners, like the European Union.
EUCAP Nestor is a civilian mission, under the Common Security and Defense Policy of the European Union, mandated to assist countries of the Horn of Africa and Western Indian Ocean develop their capacities and capabilities to ensure maritime security, in particular counter-piracy and maritime governance.
EU Naval Force Somalia is the EU’s counter-piracy Operation Atalanta. Operation Atalanta deters, prevents and represses acts of piracy and armed robbery off the coast of Somalia. EU Naval Force ships protect World Food Programme vessels delivering aid to Somalia and AMISOM shipping. EU Naval Force ships also contribute to the monitoring of fishing activity off the Somali Coast.