Whilst alongside in Djibouti port, staff from the EU Naval Force (EU NAVFOR) Flagship, NRP Álvares Cabral, and members of the Djiboutian Navy and of the Djiboutian Coast Guard came together on board the Portuguese ship to conduct Local Maritime Capacity Building (LMCB) training to exchange maritime and medical knowledge and experiences.
The activities conducted during this visit were focussed on first aid, navigation and the use of Mercury – a piece of software for co-ordination and information sharing within the High Risk Area. The training involved both classroom-based lessons and practical tasks in all three areas.
This training proved to be a very rewarding experience for both the Portuguese and Djiboutian representatives improving cooperation and expertise. It also generated a very useful discussion concerning best practices and procedures within these important areas.
The Portuguese frigate NRP Álvares Cabral joined the EU’s counter piracy mission – Operation Atalanta on 6th April, and is the current EU NAVFOR Flagship.
[mappress] Press Release, July 16, 2013; Image: EU Navfor