PF Mariners Hold Joint Exercise at Seychelles

Pacific Fleet (PF) servicemen held joint exercise and released a civil ship “captured” by pirates in the last day of the visit to Seychelles on March 5.

According to the PF task unit commander Capt 1 rank Ildar Akhmerov, Russian servicemen demonstrated anti-piracy skills to their Seychelles counterparts.

The exercise was attended by servicemen of Seychelles Coast Guard and Russian ‘black berets’.

According to the exercise scenario, pirates captured a ship and locked the crew in the bilge. Disguised armed Seychelles servicemen acted as pirates.

Russian marines on fast-speed boats attacked and boarded the ship at both sides. Having neutralized “pirates” on the deck, they checked interior premises, captured “pirates”, bound and brought them to afterdeck. The crew was safely released.

It is noteworthy that during assault operation PF marines used boarding rope-ladders which is a favorite tool of present-day pirates.

High-ranking officials of Seychelles Coast Guard and Russian diplomats observed the exercise. Actions of PF marines were highly appreciated by Seychelles Coast Guard command and were a kind of visual aid for Seychelles counter-piracy units.

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Naval Today Staff , March 13, 2012; Image: mil