Sigonella, Italy -- When conducting boat exercises, the potential for capsizing is prevalent. If a situation arises on a deployment in a maritime domain, service members must know what actions to take to ensure the safety of all personnel.
U.S. Marines and British Royal Marines with Special-Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Africa 14 conducted small-craft capsize exercises with a zodiac combat reconnaissance rubber craft here, Aug. 20 to ensure all members know exactly what to do in the event of a rollover while on Theater Security Cooperation engagements to various countries in Africa.
“We did capsize drills with the [British Royal Marines], so when we’re in [Africa] we all know how the procedure works in case one of the boats flip, that way we’re all capable and safe,” said Lance Cpl. John Bosell, a Mohrsville, Pa., native and rifleman with SP-MAGTF Africa 14. “The training went really well, it was taught as if we were actually executing it.”
While in Africa the U.S. Marines and British Royal Marines will be working alongside partner nation military forces to share similar maritime techniques in order to expand their knowledge of a variety of skills including small boat operations, proper maintenance procedures and maritime interdiction.
SP-MAGTF Africa continues to build relationships with the community while simultaneously strengthening U.S. Marine Corps Forces Africa and U.S. Africa Command’s ability to assist partner nations in addressing security challenges in the region.