Seychelles Coast Guard Undergo Enhanced Training

Over the last eight weeks six Seychelles Coast Guard (SCG) divers have been undergoing training conducted by EUCAP Nestor’s experts to enhance their diving and operational capabilities.

The course commenced on July 17th and concluded today in Victoria. A closing ceremony for the course was held at the Seychelles Coast Guard base.

The focus of activity for this course was the enhancement of the Seychelles Coast Guard planning capabilities in order that they have the ability to conduct safe underwater operations. As an additional benefit, those trainees who met the required standards completed the course with a full internationally recognized Dive Master Qualification.

During the phase of the training, the Seychelles coast guard divers learned about navigation, wreck diving, rescuing, and deep diving. They then moved on to a consolidation phase of the training, focusing on further enhancing underwater operational techniques. The final module saw the trainees undertake practical exercises culminating in the underwater inspection of a commercial tanker in Victoria Harbor. This exercise incorporated all aspects of dive planning, safety and conduct of underwater maintenance. Participants were required to carry out effective hull inspections, as well as the use of power and welding tools underwater.

An important aspect of this EUCAP Nestor led activity was the handling of explosive charges, essential for the disposal of unexploded ordnance or removing under water obstacles.

In order to ensure that the Seychelles CG continued to have the ability to utilize the skill learned on the course and in line with the EU’s ‘Train and Equip’ philosophy, EUCAP Nestor donated equipment to the Seychelles Coast Guard, including a defibrillator, a portable Air bottle Compressor, precision tools and power tools (welders, grinders). These donations will support better maintenance of SCG vessels and equipment, as recognized by the Commanding Officer of SCG Lt.Col. Dine -

“EUCAP Nestor training course and donations will enable the Seychelles Coast Guard to better organize and conduct maintenance for our ships and equipment, which is crucial to effectively patrol our territorial waters and the EEZ´s" said Dine.