Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) Coast Guard officers have completed a specialized Oil Spill Emergency Response Training Program under the Ocean Country Partnership Program (OCPP), enhancing national preparedness for maritime pollution incidents.
According to MNDF, the program, held from January 5–16, trained 17 Coast Guard officers from all MNDF area commands, alongside 10 Sri Lankan Coast Guard officers, three staff from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and two officials from the Ministry of Environment.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, MNDF Coast Guard Commander Brigadier General Mohamed Saleem underscored the importance of proactive preparedness, noting that oil spills have previously impacted both the Maldives and neighboring countries. He emphasized the critical role of such training programs in safeguarding the nation’s sensitive marine environment.
“This training is invaluable in equipping officials with the necessary skills to protect our marine ecosystems from potential oil spill disasters,” he said.
The training program was supported by the UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and the British High Commission in the Maldives. It covered a range of essential topics, including International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Level 1, 2, and 3 training, Incident Command System (ICS) Levels 100, 200, and 300, Aerial Surveillance, and Shoreline Cleanup Assessment Techniques.
The initiative strengthens MNDF Coast Guard’s capacity for maritime pollution response, reinforcing efforts to protect the Maldives’ marine biodiversity and coastal communities.