From November 18 to 27, 2024, the Japan Coast Guard (JCG) dispatched Mobile Cooperation Team (MCT), comprised of Captain MIURA Atsushi, Commander MASUI Masakazu, Lieutenant EJIRI Toshikatsu, and Lieutenant AIZAWA Yuka, to provide marine law officers of Palau with lecture on the maritime law enforcement and key provisions of UNCLOS.
The hands-on training using the patrol vessel PSS KEDAM and small patrol boats has also equipped officers with on-board inspection procedures to enforce foreign fishing vessels and with rescue techniques to address a vessel on fire and assuming multiple people drowning in the sea.
This training was made possible through the support of The Nippon Foundation and The Sasakawa Peace Foundation aimed at improving maritime safety capability of Palau. Marine law officers have discussed maritime safety in this region with Mr. SHIOZAWA Hideyuki, The Sasakawa Peace Foundation, and were presented equipment to help rescue those drowning in the sea.
Sharing techniques and knowledge required for effective maritime law enforcement and search & rescue is critical for Marine law and JCG to reinforce mutual understanding and maritime safety cooperation. The Marine law-JCG initiative is a testament to a “Tokbetsu” relationship between Palau and Japan and the cornerstone to realize a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific Ocean (FOIP)” based on the rule of law.
Since 2012, The Nippon Foundation has provided Marine law with its administrative building, berth, PSS KEDAM and 5 boats including 2 RHIBs as part of “Enhancing Coast Guard Capability in Micronesian States Project” and has been supporting operational costs such as fuel, satellite communications, maintenance, and dispatching a coast guard advisor. The Sasakawa Peace Foundation has been supporting crew’s salaries and assisting the JCG in dispatching MCT.