MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

HMS Portland involved in anti-narcotics training with the Cape Verde Coast Guard

Exercising in the high seas in damage control and seamanship operations

On her way to South Africa and the South Atlantic islands of Falklands and South Georgia, the Royal Navy's Atlantic patrol HMS Portland after a brief stop at the port of Mindelo sailed back out to sea with a boarding team from Cape Verde embarked.

 With the Cape Verdean Coast Guard Cutter, Guardião, alongside the two ships sailed to undertake a patrol of the waters around the archipelago of 10 volcanic islands.

The ships were conducting operations on behalf of the Maritime Analysis and Operations Centre (Narcotics) (MAOC (N)), based in Lisbon, with HMS Portland at 30 minutes notice to conduct boarding operations to prevent illegal drugs from entering Africa and Europe.

Throughout the operation HMS Portland carried out training with the Cape Verde boarding team supported by three US Coast Guard observers.

This training also included first aid and board and search drills with the teams from the three nations discussing procedures and sharing ideas.

During the patrol teams from HMS Portland spent time onboard the Guardião conducting training in firefighting, damage control, seamanship and navigation. The exercises and advice were geared at helping develop the skills of the Guardião’s crew.

HMS Portland’s Boarding Officer, Lieutenant Simon Fraser said:“I thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to work alongside our allies in the fight against the illegal drugs trade.

“Both the US Coast Guard, Cape Verdean Coast Guard, Judicial Police and Maritime Police are highly experienced in these operations and we were all able to exchange ideas to ensure the continued success in preventing the flow of drugs into Africa and Europe.”

Speaking about the training the Royal Navy provided in firefighting and damage control, Chief Petty Officer Scott Allan, said: “The teams on the Guardião were incredibly keen to learn about the practices the Royal Navy uses. We were impressed with the enthusiasm they showed throughout the training.”

HMS Portland’s Operations Officer, Lieutenant Commander Richard Gray, added: “This patrol demonstrated the RN’s support of the international commitment to preventing the flow of illegal narcotics.

”HMS Portland enjoyed working with our allies from Cape Verde and the US and we are looking forward to working with them again later in the year.”

Type 23 frigate HMS Portland left Devonport on January 13 on a routine seven month Atlantic Patrol Tasking.