By Nazario Rodriguez Jr.
Horizon news staff

Practice definitely makes perfect.
It is in this premise that the Maritime Surveillance Advisory (MSA) held last Friday (Jan. 19) an exercise for Palau’s marine law enforcers and other divisions when a problem or a disaster such as fire or pipe leak occur, especially miles away in the high seas.
The half-day long activity had been termed as "Damage Control Olympic Exercise" held at the Marine Law Enforcement Division (MLED) office grounds in Malakal.
Some 12 police officers from different divisions of the Bureau of Public Safety (BPS) participated.
BPS Director Hazime Telei said such training would boost their confidence and building a positive attitude towards their work while taking care of Palau’s vast marine resources, 12 miles away from home.
"This would help them gain a positive spirit. Practicing and exercising are very important," Telei said.
The participants competed in six different exercises that included how to operate the water pump, patching up a leaking pipe, shoring, hose, putting off a fire and dressing in fire suit.
In each exercise, a team gets a corresponding point depending on the length of time, which means lesser time has bigger points.
Four teams have competed in the Olympic exercises with MLED Team One emerging as winner after compiling 18 points. The team is composed of Mark Remeliik, Jesse rumong, Fred Ramurai and Edwin Antonio.
A team from the Criminal Investigation Division (CID) composed of officers Tatingal, Tewal, Adelbai and Wally, got 17 points.
A team from Fish and Wildlife (FWL) that included officers Adelbai, Wong, Kaluu and Mongami earned 13 points while MLED Team Two of officers Rivera, Nestor, Ldesel and Mengirarou finished fourth with 12 points.
The judges in each exercise were Emerson Nobuo (pump), Australian Navy Chief Werner Stach (pipe), Chief Petty Officer Mick Grant (shoring), Allen Maldengesang (hose), Fenally Seklii (fire) and Thomas Tutii (dressing in fire suit) and they were assisted by Lt. Commodore Dave Hannah.
The formal awarding ceremony is set on Feb. 3.
Also present to give support and encouragement were other top police officers Deputy Dir. Norvert Yano, MLED Chief Ellender Ngirameketii, Chief Patrol Division Ishmael Aguon, Chief Ringang of Division of Corrections, Chief Benhart Baulechong of Division of Fire and Rescue and Chief Cammen Chin of Fish and Wildlife.
Telei gave special recognition to the excellent effort by the marine law enforcers, who emerged as top finishers last month in Guam while representing Palau in a similar training and exercises for Micronesian Island nations.
Most of the participants in that training in Guam joined last Friday’s activity. The others served as judges.
"You need to have those necessary skills. We’re really fortunate to come and witness the exercise. We are proud of you," Telei told them.