- The second edition of the activity was co-organised by Operation ATALANTA and the Kenyan Navy.
- This exercise aimed at improving regional cooperation and maritime security among nations and institutions in the Western Indian Ocean.
From 17 to 20 November 2025, the second edition of USALAMA BAHARINI exercise took place in Mombasa, Kenya, aiming to strengthen regional collaboration, boost maritime security and enhance the capabilities of national, international, and institutional actors involved in safeguarding the Western Indian Ocean. The exercise included several legal seminars and training sessions to improve the knowledge and capacities in maritime security of the participants.
The opening ceremony was held at the Bandari Maritime Academy in Mombasa. ATALANTA Deputy Commander Rear Admiral Paolo Fantoni, the European Union Delegation to Kenya’s Head of Political, Press and Information Ms. Cristina Barrios and Kenya Navy Fleet Commander Brigadier Mohammed Shemote were present among other authorities.
The conferences started with a legal seminar on counter-narcotics operations and one focused on the Rules of Engagement (ROE) in Maritime Interdiction Operations. Then the training audience split in legal seminars and tactical training.
Legal seminars
Topics for this seminar ranged from Human Rights and Law Enforcement at Sea, Illegal Unreported and Unregulated fishing seminar and legal finish by different legal experts from ATALANTA and Kenya Fisheries Service. INTERPOL experts dived on information exchange in international investigations, their police capabilities, and crime scene preservation and introduction to evidence collection for first responders.
The last day included a counter-piracy operations seminar by the Kenyan Navy; high seas jurisdiction, maritime interdiction operations, and the use of force by Combined Maritime Forces - Task Force 151, and protection of critical maritime habitats and local species in Kenya protected areas by Kenyan Wildlife Services and Kenyan Forest Services.
Tactical training
The tactical part of the exercise started with a planning Visit, Board, Search and Seizure (VBSS) operation and checklist conference briefed by ESPS VICTORIA Boarding Party. The second day included theory in escalation of force, behavioral, cues and tactical communication followed by documentation check and interagency and communication procedures. Practical drillings in compliant approach and boarding scenarios as also practiced.
On the other hand, the Special Operations Team briefed about non-compliant operation planning and conducted drillings in non-compliant boarding scenarios, restraint detainee handling, tactical entries and ship movement techniques and tactical high speed maneuvers and approaches with high speed boats.
Exercise at port
The practical part of the exercise took place on Thursday 20 with the exercise putting into practice the knowledge learnt during the week. The scenario involved a pirate mother ship carrying narcotics along with skiffs used to board civilian vessels. Those were seized by Special Operations Team together with Kenyan Forces and supported by Kenyan agencies including prosecutors and anti-narcotic units.
On the last day, a joint activity at sea took place between ESPS VICTORIA and KNS SHUPAVU.
USALAMA BAHARINI as a joint effort
USALAMA BAHARINI II convened representatives from Kenyan Navy, Kenyan Coast Guard Service, Kenyan Anti-Narcotic Unit of DCI (Directorate of Criminal Investigations), Kenyan Maritime Authorities, Kenyan Ports Authorities, Kenyan Wildlife Service, Kenyan Fisheries Service, Kenyan Forest Service, National Intelligence Service, Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, and Operation ATALANTA team including subject matter experts, the flagship ESPS VICTORIA and the Special Operations team.
The sequence of activities counted with the invaluable collaboration of facilitators and partners such as INTERPOL, Combined Maritime Forces - Task Forces 151 and 154, Djibouti Code of Conduct and Jeddah Amendment and UNODC.
The exercise ended with a closing ceremony onboard ATALANTA flagship ESPS VICTORIA with the presence of the Spanish Ambassador to Kenya, HE Jaime Alejandro Moreno Bau and local authorities.
