On 19 and 20 November, during her recent port visit to Dar Es Salam, EU Naval Force warship BNS Leopold I hosted members of the Tanzanian Navy in support of EUCAP Nestor’s initiative to conduct Local Maritime Capability Building (LMCB).
On the first day, BNS Leopold I’s crew organised several workshops covering topics from Global Maritime Distress System (GMDSS), first aid techniques, evidence and detainee handling, Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) and diving. The group of 26 guests was divided in four smaller groups to enable them to get actively involved, with the Belgian Navy instructors preparing interactive exercises for the different areas.
On the second day, 20 Tanzanian Navy personnel and one representative of EUCAP Nestor embarked for a day at sea to witness how the Belgian frigate conducts boarding operations. The guests joined the ship prior to departure from Dar Es Salam port. Firstly, they participated in a workshop about Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC) and search techniques and then they received a briefing on the different stages required during the preparation and the execution of boarding operations. Afterwards, the ship’s crew demonstrated their procedures and capabilities by calling ‘Action Stations’ and conducting a full counter-piracy boarding drill, that included taking the suspected pirates to the temporary holding facility. The pirates and their skiff were enacted by Leopold I’s third sea boat, with its crew dressed in civilian clothes.
During the different workshops and demonstrations, many questions were asked and all of the guests felt that they had gained a lot from the experience. By late afternoon, when all the day’s activities were completed, Leopold I’s Commanding Officer exchanged gifts with the Tanzanian Navy delegation before they were taken back to their base by the Belgian frigate’s sea boat.
The two-day period was very fruitful for all parties involved and helped to strengthen the ties between both navies and EUCAP Nestor, thus contributing to the overall security situation in the area.