Maritime drills builds response readiness

Strengthening maritime capacity

SEYCHELLES: Maritime and port security officials participated in a National Drills and Exercises Workshop last week to strengthen national preparedness and coordination to respond effectively to potential security threats at sea.

The workshop, hosted by the Government of Seychelles through the Seychelles Maritime Safety Authority (SMSA) in Victoria brought together 20 participants from key national agencies, including the Ministry of Transport, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, National Information Sharing Coordination Centre (NISCC), Marine Police, Seychelles Port Authority, Seychelles Coast Guard, Seychelles Maritime Safety Authority, and Seychelles Fisheries Authority.

In his opening remarks, Captain Daniel Adam, Chief Executive Officer of the SMSA, underscored the importance of preparedness and inter-agency cooperation in safeguarding the maritime domain.

“It is not enough to have plans - we must test them,” he said, noting that practical drills help strengthen coordination among agencies in times of crisis.

Over five days, participants enhanced their capacity to plan, execute, and evaluate maritime security drills and exercises using the APEC Manual of Maritime Security Drills and Exercises for Port Facilities. The training aims to ensure the effective implementation of port facility security plans and improve coordination across Seychelles’ key maritime institutions.

The initiative forms part of ongoing efforts to bolster maritime resilience and operational readiness across the western Indian Ocean region. By testing and refining its port security framework, Seychelles continues to play a pivotal role in advancing safe, secure, and sustainable maritime operations in line with the 2050 Africa’s Integrated Maritime Strategy.

PHOTO: Source International Maritime Organisation.

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