North Atlantic Treaty Organization
Allied Maritime Command
February 10, 2014
NATO COUNTER-PIRACY WARSHIP VISITS SEYCHELLES
Port Victoria, SEYCHELLES: Last week, NATO Warship TCG GELIBOLU paid a visit to Port Victoria to pursue the ongoing cooperation with the Seychellois Authorities in the fight against piracy in the Indian Ocean.
NATO Forces have been visiting the Seychelles on a regular basis to train with the Seychelles Coast Guard, share information and coordinate efforts in the fight against piracy. The last NATO port visit to Port Victoria took place in July last year.
This time, Commander (TUR N) Olcay Yüksel, Commanding Officer of TCG GELIBOLU, paid courtesy calls to the head of the Port Victoria Port Authority, Lieutenant Colonel André Ciseau, and to the Commander of the Seychelles Coast Guard, Lieutenant Colonel Simon Dine.
One of the objectives of the visit was for the NATO delegation to identify training opportunities between the Seychelles Coast Guard and NATO Task Force 508 in order to improve interoperability and coordination in the field of counter-piracy operations.
Sharing views on the current situation, Commander Yüksel was also briefed on the Seychelles’ commitment to bringing pirates to justice, with over 100 cases of piracy having been judged by the Seychellois judicial system to this date.
“The visit to Port Victoria proved to be very beneficial for NATO-Seychelles cooperation.” Commander Yüksel said. ”I am confident that the discussions we have had and the training opportunities we have identified for the future will help us to address together the challenges posed by piracy.”
Story by HQ MARCOM Public Affairs Office
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North Atlantic Treaty Organization
Allied Maritime Command
February 10, 2014
NATO PROVIDES MEDICAL ASSISTANCE TO RESIDENTS OF PUNTLAND
Bandar Beyla, PUNTLAND: On Friday, 7 February 2014, the crew of NATO’s counter-piracy flagship, ESPS ALVARO DE BAZAN, met with the Bandar Beyla elders and provided medical assistance to the local population.
A group of thirty people, including children and women, received medical assistance on board ALVARO DE BAZAN. A waiting room was set up on the ship’s lower deck where children and adults were given refreshments while they were waiting for assistance.
The previous day, the ship’s Commanding Officer, Commander (ESP N) Jose E. Delgado Roig welcomed the Mayor of Bandar Beyla, Mr. Saed Adan Ali, who was accompanied by five elders.
“I am deeply grateful for the help provided by NATO forces in the area.” Said Mr. Saed Adan Ali. “They help keep the pirates off our coast, especially when aircraft are patrolling.”
“We are always glad to provide assistance to the local population,” Commander Delgado said. “Beyond supporting the people, it helps us to gauge the effects our presence at sea are having ashore.”
Story by HQ MARCOM Public Affairs Office
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