About 12 officers from Division of Marine Law participated in the training and exercises while nine from the US Coastguard.
The Division of Marine Law Enforcement officers attended training to upgrade their skills to a much higher level according to DMLE chief Ellender Ngirameketii.Part of the training was to expose the personnel to mock trial to make them familiar with legal procedures.Lt. Nick Simmons, Commanding Officer of the US Coast Guard Cutter Washington said that the participants were taught of a case package development to make sure that they are comfortable with legal procedures, boarding and collecting evidences.The group conducted a mock trial on Friday and was assisted by Assistant Attorney General Ronald Ledgerwood.Lt. Steve Olivera, Coast Guard Sector Guam, said that they presented two scenarios for the participants.One scenario was a Taiwanese fishing vessel was caught in possession of illegal weapons, shark fins and steel leaders and the other scenario was a vessel was found in possession of illegal drugs, weapons and the boat captain tried to bribe the authorities.The participants were given opportunities to sit in the trial stand to answer cross and direct examinations based on their affidavits and their evidences that are submitted in court for prosecution process.The participants were also taught of boarding procedures and safety inspection procedures.The training started on Tuesday and concluded on Saturday.A damage Control Olympic exercise was also held on Saturday and Civic Action Team medical officer Captain Jeremy Kersey conducted first aid refresher training for the participants.Captain Kersey provided training which covered techniques to control bleeding as well as first aid treatments for broken bones, shock, belly wounds, eye injuries, chest wounds, neck injuries, heat and cold injuries.This first aid techniques course is vital for the Coast Guard and DMLE personnel in performing their duties.The other instructors of the training were Captain Thomas Sparks, Commanding Officer of US Coast Guard Guam Sector and Ensign Lonnie Walp, Vessel Boarding and Search Team Leader Sector Response Enforcement US Coast Guard Guam Sector.The instructors conducted several damage control exercises for the participants who were divided into three groups.The team of the US Coast Guards tops the exercises and was declared as the overall winner during the Olympics exercises.The Sea Guardian exercises started in 2006 and were held in Guam.Palau won the exercises two years in a row in 2006 and 2007.Ngirameketii thanked the US Coast Guards in Guam Sector and Washington for helping Palau upgrade their skills and for doing patrol services in the waters of Palau during their stay last week.The US Coast Guard left Palau Monday morning.
