The United States Coast Guard (USCG) Southeast Asia Training Team (SEATT), in collaboration with the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), recently concluded a multinational Boarding Officer Course in Davao City. The event, held from January 13 to 24, aimed to enhance the capabilities and cooperation of maritime law enforcement agencies in the region.
The course was funded by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL). It featured instructors from the USCG, Vietnam Customs, and U.S.-trained PCG personnel who trained participants on conducting vessel boardings at sea. Key topics included maritime law, evidence collection and preservation, safety and risk mitigation, and arresting techniques.
Thirty-two participants attended the training, including members from the PCG, Philippine National Police-Maritime Group, Vietnam Coast Guard, Vietnam Customs Anti-Smuggling and Investigations Department, Vietnam Department of Fisheries Surveillance, and Indonesia Coast Guard. The Australian Border Force observed during the first week.
“It’s exciting to witness the professional growth and confidence displayed by our multinational instructor group and student participants. We are impressed by their desire to not only master the technical aspects of the course but also to seamlessly interact with and assist one another to optimize the experience,” said USCG Team Lead Lieutenant Dana Schmitt.
“U.S. expertise, resources, and guidance are invaluable in ensuring that we are better equipped to address maritime threats. Together, we reaffirm our commitment to ensuring that our maritime sovereignty remains a zone of peace, safety, and prosperity for all,” stated Commodore Rejard V. Marfe of Coast Guard District Southeastern Mindanao.
This marked the first INL-USCG training event held in Mindanao as well as the first Philippine-hosted SEATT course featuring a Vietnamese instructor. Previous courses took place in Palawan (May 2023), La Union (November 2023), and Cebu (May 2024).
The SEATT program plans to conduct more training events in the Philippines throughout 2025 while integrating PCG instructors into courses co-hosted by partner nations.