SRI LANKA COAST GUARD PERSONNEL ENHANCE OIL SPILL RESPONSE COMPETENCIES WITH MALDIVES COAST GUARD COUNTERPARTS THROUGH OCPP FUNDED AMBIPAR TRAINING

In an important step toward strengthening regional cooperation and enhancing oil spill response capabilities, 10 Sri Lankan officers including 9 Sri Lanka Coast Guard (SLCG) officers successfully completed IMO Level 1 and IMO Level 2 training alongside officers from the Maldives Coast Guard and the Environment Protection Agency of Maldives. The comprehensive training, conducted by Ambipar in partnership with the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC) and funded by the Ocean Country Partnership Programme (OCPP), provided participants with critical expertise in managing marine pollution incidents.

The training emphasized developing oil spill response strategies, establishing incident command structures, and implementing joint practical solutions during field exercises. At Maldivian harbours and a distant island, participants engaged in deploying fence booms, operating weir skimmers, and utilizing Maldives Coast Guard assets such as Landing Craft Vessels (LCVs), Harbor Craft, and RHIBs for effective containment and recovery operations. These hands-on exercises highlighted the importance of resource management and collaborative efforts in marine pollution response.

This initiative significantly enhances the SLCG-Maldives Coast Guard partnership, fostering deeper collaboration in addressing shared challenges. The SLCG extends its gratitude to the OCPP, Ambipar Response, and the Maldives Coast Guard for their unwavering support in advancing regional oil spill response capabilities. This partnership underscores the critical role of capacity building and international collaboration in protecting the marine ecosystem.