Specialists from the British Royal Navy have delivered a capacity-building session on ‘Outboard Motor Maintenance’ to their counterparts from the Seychelles Coast Guard in support of a United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) programme.

The two Royal Navy sailors from the UK Maritime Component Command (UKMCC) delivered the course at the Seychelles Coast Guard base at Perseverance to a team of six Seychellois maritime professionals.

The six maritime professionals, selected from the Seychelles Coast Guard and the Maritime Police, took part in a week’s worth of theoretical and practical courses, taught by the UNODC instructor, Nelson Kitonga and assisted by Leading Engineer Technician (LET) David Gadd, and Antoni Gabriele.

The UKMCC regularly provides personnel to support the Bahrain based Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) regional capacity-building programme. The programme aims to enable maritime experts to engage with regional partners, strengthening their maritime capabilities and contribute to the region’s overall security and stability.

The course focused on all aspects of outboard motor general maintenance, troubleshooting, and how to make minor engine repairs. This type of training is vital to ensure that the engines are serviceable at all times and ready for operational use.

Good maintenance schedules also ensure the longevity of the equipment and prevent damage and corrosion caused by use in the maritime environment.

Major Renny Bulmer, the UK liaison officer based in Seychelles, said, “This is an excellent example of capacity building collaboration between the United Kingdom, Seychelles and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. It has brought together expert international instructors to further enhance the operational capability of the Seychelles Defence Forces (SDF) and Marine Police.

“The successful delivery of the course demonstrates the continued importance the UK places on maritime security in the western Indian Ocean and bolsters the outstanding work Seychellois professionals have done in maintaining maritime security in the region”.

The accompanying photos show some highlights of the capacity-building session.

Source: Seychelles Nation