BATAAN-NAGSANIB puwersa ang Phil. Coast Guard ( PCG) at United States Coast Guard sa isinagawang search and rescue (SAR) exercise na ginanap sa bayan ng Mariveles sa lalawigan ito kamakailan.
Nagkaroon din ng serye ng sea-phase demonstrations para sa port visit ng USCG Cutter Midgett na dumating sa Maynila noong Agosto 30.
Kabilang sa dalawang araw na drills ay ang communication exercises, maneuvering drills, photo exercises, decoding messages sa pamamagitan ng flag hoisting, flashing exercises, publication exercises, small boat operations, boarding operations, SAR exercises, at medical assistance.
Sa ikalawang araw na pagsasanay, ang PCG’s 83- meter offshore patrol vessel, BRP Gabriela Silang (OPV-8301) ay rumesponde sa distress call mula sa simulated cargo vessel, BRP Melchora Aquino ( MRRV-9702).
Samantala, rumesponde naman ang USCG Midgett para asistihan ang dalawang barko ng bansa kung saan na-rescue naman ang natitirang survivors kung saan binigyan ng medical assessment.
Nagsagawa rin ng anti-piracy exercises ang PCG vessels at nahpahayag ni PCG Commander, CG Admiral Artemio M. Abu na ang piracy ay isang high sea at universal crime na kinakailangan ang cooperation ng Coast Guard para makamit ang tagumpay.
Binigyang diin naman ni USCG Cutter Midgett Coast Guard Fleet Commander, CG Rear Admiral Charlie Rances na ang joint SAR exercise nakatuon sa maritime safety challenges by assessing the PCG’s at USCG’s capabilities for information exchange and interoperability at sea among participating units, surface, and air assets.
“The mission also intended to contribute toward attaining a connected, open, and secure Indo-Pacific.” Pahayag naman ni U.S Ambassador to the Philippines, Her Excellency Marykay Loss Carlson. MHAR BASCO
