Maritime
Credits : coastguard . gov . ph
3-day SEACAT-VBSS workshop concludes with boarding exercises
A number of boarding procedures were conducted by the various participating Coast Guards and Navies from the US and Southeast Asia during the last day of the 3-day Maritime Interdiction Operation ( MIO )/ Visit , Board , Search and Seizure ( VBSS ) workshop aboard PCG vessels at PCG Headquarters in Manila .
The participants were grouped into five composed of representatives from each country . They were given several boarding scenarios which are common threats experienced amongst waters within Southeast Asia such as piracy , illegal fishing , smuggling , illegal drug and human trafficking .
The activities were done in preparation for the last phase of SEACAT on August 28 to September 01 to be held at vicinity waters off Subic , Zambales . The sea phase will involve practical exercises onboard a vessel where the participants will be affordedan opportunity to exercise the skills , tactics , techniques and procedures discussed during the workshop .
The workshop was concluded with a closing ceremony yesterday which was attended by Commodore Leopoldo V Laroya PCG , the Commander of PCG Maritime Security and Law Enforcement Command and Lieutenant Commander Jeremy R Obenchain USCG , Maritime Advisor of the Defense Threat Reduction Office-Philippines , US Embassy-Manila .
LCDR OBENCHAIN congratulated all the participants and the instructors from the US Coast Guard Law Enforcement Detachment Team headed by Lieutenant Lucy Love USCG for facilitating discusssions , providing realistic scenarios and fostering a collaborative and cooperative environment .
Furthermore , COMMO LAROYA encouraged the participants to apply all the knowledge and best practices that they have gained in the exercise when they return to their respective countries . He also assured that the PCG will always be a credible and reliable partner in addressing our common concerns the maritime security challenges in the Southeast Asian region . http :// coastguard . gov . ph /
The activities were done in preparation for the last phase of SEACAT on August 28 to September 01 to be held at vicinity waters off Subic , Zambales . The sea phase will involve practical exercises onboard a vessel where the participants will be affordedan opportunity to exercise the skills , tactics , techniques and procedures discussed during the workshop .
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