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Eleventh Coast Guard District |
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| NEWS RELEASE |
DATE: CONTACT: |
March 11, 2009 Public Affairs (510) 437-3375 |
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Boutwell Conducts Three-Day Law Enforcement Symposium With Maldives National Defense Force |
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MALE, Maldives -- The crew of the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Boutwell participated in a three-day symposium with members of the Maldives National Defense Force (MNDF) Feb. 21 - 24, teaching and demonstrating U.S. Coast Guard law enforcement and search and rescue techniques. Boutwell boarding officers conducted three days of in-depth law enforcement training with the MNDF covering basic boarding officer fundamentals including authority and jurisdiction, use-of-force considerations and demonstrations of hidden compartment and vessel searches. Practical courses covering close-quarters battle tactics, advanced handcuffing and escort techniques were also conducted by the crew of the Boutwell. The three-day class ended with a mock boarding of a noncompliant vessel, integrating all the training introduced to the MNDF. The crew also conducted a SAR demonstration with an embarked HH-65C Dolphin helicopter and performed a series of basket hoists and search patterns. "The MNDF personnel were very eager and enthusiastic to participate," said Lt.j.g. Daniel T. Holland, the lead instructor. "They already possess a level of competency that allowed us to cover more advanced topics in a relatively short period of time. We learned a great deal from each other. The mock boarding was especially beneficial for both the Boutwell and the MNDF boarding team members," he said. Assigned to the Coast Guard's Pacific Area command, headquartered in Alameda, Calif., Boutwell is one of 12 high endurance cutters with missions that range from drug interdiction to fisheries enforcement. Boutwell's patrols range as far north as the Aleutian Island chain off the coast of Alaska and as far south as the coast of Columbia. The Boutwell and its crew represent the Coast Guard's commitment to support national defense operations around the globe. They are currently attached to the USS Boxer Expeditionary Strike Group. During this patrol, the crew of the 378-foot cutter will circumnavigate the globe while visiting numerous countries in an effort to create strong professional ties, share maritime defense strategies and improve interoperability with cooperating foreign nations. ###
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