During their recent logistical visit to the Seychelles, Spanish Ocean Patrol Vessel (OPV), ESPS Meteoro, held a number of very productive meetings with EUCAP Nestor and the Seychelles Coast Guard. On the 25th of October, ESPS Meteoro was visited by 18 members of the Seychelles Coast Guard, in conduct Local Maritime Capacity Building (LMCB).
After a tour on the ship and several briefings about the characteristics and capabilities of the Spanish patrol vessel, the crews exchanged experiences and talked about capacity building in the Seychelles.
RAPICC
Later that week, on October 29, a delegation from Meteoro visited the Regional Centre of Intelligence Coordination for Counter Piracy (RAPICC). RAPPIC is build to coordinate and analyze information from different police and military intelligence centers around the world, in order to develop relevant legal processes against piracy networks. The prosecution of piracy has developed since the last few years and the role of the Seychelles in this is evident.
Coast Guard Visit
The day ended at the Coast Guard Operation Centre, where the Meteoro and Seychelles Coast Guard discussed the current challenges in the large area and future cooperation
Mutual Understanding
The visits have contributed to enhance the mutual understanding between EU NAVFOR and regional naval forces. Local Maritime Capacity Building is one of the key assets in Operation Atalanta, in order to increase the level of maritime security in the Indian Ocean.
[mappress] Press Release, November 05, 2013; Image: EU NAVFOR