New sets of binoculars to help boost security at sea |21 June 2013

The donation which comes from the Indian Ocean Commission Anti-Piracy Unit (IOC APU) was handed over to the SCG chief, Lieutenant Colonel George Adeline, by the director of the IOC APU  Jacques Belle on Wednesday at the SCG base on Ile Perseverance.

Attending the ceremony were French ambassador to Seychelles Genevieve Iancu, British high commissioner Lindsay Skoll, outgoing European Union (EU) ambassador Alessandro Mariani, representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, IOC APU and of EU Navfor and EU Nestor, and members of the SCG.

Speaking at the event, Lt Col Adeline said the two binoculars will help increase surveillance operation capability at sea, thus contributing towards maritime security.

He added that the SCG fully supports the promotion of the blue economy concept by ensuring maritime security that such businesses require in order to operate fully.

Lt Col Adeline said the efforts of all our partners in assisting to improve maritime security, surveillance and capacity building in our region is very much appreciated and expressed words of thanks to all the SCG partners for their commitment and solidarity.

The IOC APU is the operational unit of the IOC secretariat general and was officially launched on June 4, 2012 in Seychelles.
Mr Belle said many activities have been undertaken during the one year of operation of the IOC APU.

He added that apart from these binoculars, other donations will be made during the coming months.
The handing over coincides with the farewell visit of Mr Mariani to Seychelles, he added.

Mr Mariani congratulated the SCG team for their effective response towards the piracy situation faced over the last few years.

He added that the EU is strongly committed to the fight against piracy and holds a good partnership with the IOC and the Seychelles.

In a vote of thanks, the expert at the IOC APU, Atmanand Kissoondoyal, said the donation marks a step further in upgrading the status of equipment of the SCG to combat piracy.

He said the binoculars will be used to locate, identify and see the behaviour and demeanours of the potential aggressors during the day.
Mr Mariani was presented with a token of appreciation from the APU team.