Africa Partnership Station

By U.S. Coast Guard Public Affairs

USCGC LEGARE, At sea - Crewmembers from U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Legare (WMEC 912), along with representatives from Sierra Leone’s Armed Forces Maritime Wing, Fisheries Ministry and Office of National Security, conducted a joint boarding operation on a Taiwanese-flagged fishing vessel suspected of fishing illegally off the coast of Freetown, Sierra Leone, Aug. 17.

The crew of the fishing vessel, Yu Feng, was found without a license to fish within Sierra Leone’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and lacked a government observer or any crew members from Sierra Leone.

A boarding team consisting of Legare crewmembers and representatives from the Sierra Leone Maritime Wing and Fisheries Ministry stayed aboard the vessel while it was escorted by Legare to Freetown, where Maritime Wing members took the crew of Yu Feng into custody.

“This is a big catch for us,” said Sierra Leone Armed Forces Lt. Augustine Bengeh, executive officer of the Maritime Wing base in Murray Town, Sierra Leone. “It’s a dream come true for us to be able to come this far out to sea and conduct these missions, and this case should yield a lot of dividends for the country and the Joint Maritime Committee.”

The crew of Yu Feng is now subject to both legal proceedings and monetary fines according to the laws of Sierra Leone. They will also be required to acquire a license, hire crew members from Sierra Leone and embark a government observer if they wish to continue fishing within the EEZ.

The joint law enforcement patrol with Sierra Leone is another in a series of missions conducted with a U.S. 6th Fleet ship and an African nation. In 2008, two other 6th Fleet ships conducted similar patrols in West & Central Africa, with the objective of providing a platform for African maritime forces to actively enforce their laws within their territorial waters.

Many African coastal nations rely on fishing as a significant contributor of revenue and jobs to the local economy. Some reports have shown Africa loses upwards of $1 billion (USD) each year to illegal fishing.

Legare, homeported in Portsmouth, Va., is currently on a three-month deployment as part of Africa Partnership Station (APS). APS is an international initiative led by Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Africa/Commander, U.S. 6th Fleet. The initiative is aimed at improving maritime safety and security for the continent of Africa through training and other collaborative activities with African partner countries.

By Africa Partnership Station Legare Public Affairs

DAKAR, Senegal - U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Legare (WMEC 912) concluded a six-day joint patrol Aug. 10 with four Senegalese naval vessels as part of Africa Partnership Station (APS).

The patrol marked the first APS joint law enforcement operation between Senegal and the U.S. in the maritime environment. During the patrol, Senegalese law enforcement boarding team members embarked Legare and participated in law enforcement exercises and shared boarding tactics with Legare boarding team members.

“A tremendous amount of trust and cooperation made this a successful joint operation between the Senegalese and the U.S.,” said U.S. Coast Guard Cmdr. Scott Bauby, commanding officer of Legare.  “The Senegalese law enforcement team and crewmembers from the naval vessels were professional and dedicated. It was an honor to sail and operate alongside them. This type of joint operation and exchange of tactics and procedures benefits both nations and is the cornerstone of providing maritime security and economic prosperity, not just in Africa, but globally.”

Countries in West Africa face an array of maritime issues, from drug trafficking to illegal fishing. 
APS is a multinational initiative developed by Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Africa (NAVEUR-NAVAF) which aims to work cooperatively with U.S. and international partners to enhance maritime safety and security on the African continent.

Legare, a 270-foot medium endurance cutter homeported in Portsmouth, Va., is currently deployed off the coast of West and Central Africa as part of a regularly scheduled deployment.

 DAR ES SALAAM, Tanzania, August 12, 2009/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Africa Partnership Station (APS) Arleigh Burke arrived in Tanzania’s largest city today, marking the final stop of the guided-missile destroyer’s APS initiative in South and East Africa. While in port, USS Arleigh Burke (DDG 51) will participate in community relations projects and office calls with local officials. The ship will also host tours for invited guests and a reception aboard the ship. Arleigh Burke is deployed as part of the multinational APS initiative developed by Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Africa which aims to work cooperatively with U.S. and international partners to enhance maritime safety and security on the African continent. Although Arleigh Burke will conclude its APS initiative in Tanzania, the ship will continue to conduct operations in the 6th Fleet area of responsibility as part of its regularly scheduled deployment along the east coast of Africa. Arleigh Burke, homeported in Norfolk, Va., is the second APS platform to visit South and East Africa, and recently conducted theater security cooperation operations with partners in Djibouti, Kenya, Mauritius, Reunion, and Seychelles. The ship also visited South Africa for exercises at sea with the South African Navy.

By Petty Officer 1st Class Gary Keen
Africa Partnership Station Public Affairs

PORT LOUIS, Mauritius, Jul 31, 2009 — USS Arleigh Burke (DDG 51) arrived in Port Louis, Mauritius on July 30, 2009 to kick off several days of import and at sea training with the Mauritius National Coast Guard as part of Africa Partnership Station (APS). APS is an international initiative led by Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Africa. The initiative is aimed at improving maritime safety and security for the continent of Africa through training and other collaborative activities with African partner countries. Arleigh Burke will host numerous hands-on, cooperative training that will cover events such as basic damage control, flight deck operations, search and rescue, and visit, board, search and seizure exercises. “I am thrilled to be here in Mauritius to show U.S. enduring commitment to APS and its common goal of achieving a secure, stable and prosperous maritime environment in Africa,” said Captain Jim Tranoris, commodore of APS Arleigh Burke. “The cooperative activities we have planned with our African partners will continue to aide the capacity of theater security cooperation and reinforce the groundwork of maritime safety and security in the region.” Tranoris also added that U.S. Sailors will have the opportunity to experience the rich culture of this Indian Ocean island nation. Arleigh Burke, a guided missile destroyer homeported in Norfolk, Va., is the second APS platform to visit South and East Africa, and recently conducted theater security cooperations with partners in Djibouti, Seychelles, Kenya and South Africa.