During her recent visit to Port Victoria, in the Seychelles, EU Naval Force warship, HNLMS Johan de Witt, in association with a team from EUCAP Nestor, conducted a Search and Rescue (SAR) exercise, with local Seychellois maritime and air agencies.
The purpose of the exercise was to run through the local contingency plans and procedures for maritime SAR operations.
The exercise scenario included the rescue of 13 passengers and 2 crew from an aircraft that had ditched into the sea after encountering engine problems.
After an exercise ‘MAYDAY’ was issued, the Seychelles Coast Guard (SCG) vessel, Topaz, immediately deployed to the scene, together with a Seychelles Air Force aircraft. Having relayed the distress message out to sea, the SCG then requested the assistance of the EU Naval Force flagship, HLNMS Johan de Witt, which was conducting counter-piracy patrols near to where the incident occurred.
Speaking about the exercise, the EU Naval Force Commander, Rear Admiral Jonas Haggren stated “This type of exercise serves to strengthen the co-operation between the EU Naval Force and regional maritime states in our area of operations. As part of the EU’s Comprehensive Approach to the Horn of Africa, we are working closely with our EU sister mission, EUCAP Nestor, in order to counter-piracy and to strengthen maritime governance. I am pleased that we were able to work so closely with the teams from the Seychelles and contribute our martime skills and assets to strengthen the safety and security of the local sea area; this benefits us all.
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