The workshops covered USCG Search and Rescue Optimal Planning System, vital boating safety equipment, small boat maintenance, good seamanship skills, and informed participants on the need to submit accurate “float plans” to friends and family on land.
Participants in the four sessions included COM-FSM students, faculty, staff, and interested community members.
On Sept. 11-14, the USCG team conducted three workshops: Saturday’s event was held at PCR Restaurant in Nett, while Monday and Tuesday’s workshops were hosted by the College of Micronesia’s national and state campuses as part of the U.S. Embassy-COM-FSM Forum Lecture Series.
Over 100 people participated in the three sessions and asked questions pertaining to navigational equipment purchase, search and rescue protocol, and boating safety legislation.
On Sept. 15, Olivera and Maye conducted the final boating safety workshop at COM-FSM Chuuk campus in Weno with over 30 attendees.
In addition to the boating safety workshops, the USCG representatives conducted a roundtable discussion on search and rescue procedures at FSM National Surveillance and Maritime Wing in Dekehtik, Pohnpei. Participants included representatives from the Maritime Wing, FSM Foreign Affairs, Pohnpei State Emergency Assistance, and the U.S. Embassy in Pohnpei.
Since 1988, the U.S. Coast Guard has provided search and rescue assistance to the FSM.
