From RCIPS

The RCIPS/Customs Joint Marine Unit is currently hosting a regional Advanced Maritime Small Craft Instructor Training Program, which is being conducted by members from the Royal Navy International Defense Maritime Training Team (IMTT). The program, which runs for three weeks, commenced on Monday, 7 May, and includes participants from the JMU, Fire Service and all of the Caribbean British Overseas Territories, with the exception of Anguilla.

The training program includes sessions on craft handling by day and night, navigation, splicing and whipping, sea survival, search and rescue, distress signals, instructor training and other relevant topics, while the third week focuses on engineering. Four instructors are facilitating the program for 17 students, including 7 from the local Joint Marine Unit and the Fire Service, 4 from Turks and Caicos, and 2 each from the British Virgin Islands, Bermuda, and Montserrat.

Warrant Officer Martin “Wolfie” Power is heading up the program, which is being run in Cayman once again, after having been done back in 2015.

“We are happy to be back in the Cayman Islands. The Joint Marine Unit here is well-established and highly regarded in the region, with vessels and facilities that make it suitable for hosting this program,” said Warrant Officer Power. “Some of the students attending this session, both from Cayman and some of the other countries, were also present for the session in 2015. It’s great to see the improvements they’ve made since that time.”

“We are definitely grateful to the IMTT for choosing us to host this year’s training,” said Acting Inspector Demenian Maxwell of the Joint Marine Unit. “This is a special opportunity for us to further develop the capabilities of our officers and to network with fellow officers from the other Overseas Territories.”

“This training will also serve in the planned transition of the Joint Marine Unit into a national Coast Guard, and will give them the necessary knowledge to instruct and train their own staff,” Warrant Officer Power added.

SOURCE: https://www.rcips.ky/joint-marine-unit-hosts-regional-training-program