On Monday, 29 July 2013, the Dutch frigate HNLMS VAN SPEIJK, part of NATO’s counter-piracy Operation OCEAN SHIELD, conducted a maritime exercise together with the Seychelles Coast Guard, focusing on search and rescue operations and enhancing coordination and cooperation between the Coast Guard and NATO warships patrolling the Indian Ocean.
To share knowledge, skills and training with regional players is a vital part of NATO’s counter-piracy mission, and VAN SPEIJK’s port visit to the Seychelles presented a valuable opportunity to maintain and improve the skills needed to support seafarers in distress.
“The Seychelles has proven to be one of the most active regional states and is a very important partner in our counter-piracy effort,” said OCEAN SHIELD’s commander, Commodore Henning Amundsen. “NATO and the Seychelles share a common goal – to allow people and goods to freely travel the Indian Ocean. We will continue our close cooperation to secure this goal.”
Amundsen visited the headquarters of the Seychelles Coast Guard on 19 July 2013 during a previous port visit by the Operation OCEAN SHIELD flagship, HNoMS FRIDTJOF NANSEN
[mappress]
Press Release, August 6, 2013; Image: NATO