U.S. Facilitates Small Boat Operations Training Course for Philippine Coast Guard > U.S. Indo-Pacific Command > 2015

UNITED STATES EMBASSY MANILA — As part of ongoing U.S.-Philippine cooperation to build the Philippines’ maritime law enforcement capabilities, the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) hosted the first small craft led by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) from September 5-16. in Manila.

With the support and mentorship of visiting USCG Instructors, 12 PCG Instructor Candidates trained 16 PCG students through classroom instruction and hands-on exercises at sea to improve their skills in navigation, boat handling, hazards, towing, and man-overboard recovery. This training is part of a series of courses sponsored by the Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, with financial support from the U.S. Global Contingency Security Fund, to prepare Filipino instructors to lead small boat operations training for the PCG.

During the course’s graduation ceremony Sept. 16, Philippine Coast Guard Fleet Commander Rear Admiral Charlie Q. Rances emphasized the magnitude of the US-PCG partnership. “This is just one of the many training and learning opportunities INL and USCG provide PCG,” he said.

The USCG Liaison at the U.S. Embassy Manila, Commander Bien Decena, added that “this type of technical training among sea professionals highlights the strong relationship, unity and outlook similar between the Philippine and United States Coast Guards”.

The INL and USCG will hold additional training events with the PCG later this year on a variety of topics, including maritime law enforcement operations and ship engineering program management.