The U.S. Trained the Philippine Coast Guard on Boat Ops

As part of ongoing U.S.-Philippine cooperation to enhance the Philippines’ maritime law enforcement capabilities, the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) facilitated the first Philippine Coast Guard (PCG)-led Small Boat Operations course from September 5 to 16 in Manila.

The training is meant to improve the Philippine Coast Guard's capabilities in navigation, boat driving, risk management, towing, and man-overboard recovery. The training is part of a series of courses sponsored by the Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, with funding support from the U.S. Global Contingency Security Fund, to prepare Filipino instructors to lead small boat operations training for the PCG, according to the U.S. Embassy in Manila. 

PCG students practice voyage planning with navigational charts during the classroom phase of the Small Boat Operations course facilitated by the USCG in Manila.

Photo by U.S. Embassy, U.S. Coast Guard.

Philippine Coast Guard Fleet Commander Rear Admiral Charlie Q. Rances noted the breadth of the U.S.-PCG partnership.  “This is just one of the many training and learning opportunities that [the U.S. Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs] and USCG extend to the PCG,” he said.

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

The [Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs] and USCG will organize additional training activities with the PCG later this year on various topics, including maritime law enforcement operations and vessel engineering program management.