07 November 2011

Coastguard Forges Ties with New Caledonia

Coastguard is working to save more lives at sea by strengthening its international ties with New Caledonia through the signing of a Memorandum of Intent (MOI) aimed to foster training and resource between the two nations.

A small delegation of seven Coastguard volunteers, including Coastguard’s President Colin Small, departs for New Caledonia today to sign the agreement with their equivalent marine search and rescue agency Société Nationale de Sauvetage en Mer (SNSM).

Through this MOI, Coastguard and SNSM agree to share training materials on search and rescue, disaster relief, environmental response, vessel safety checks and public education. Both agencies will also extend invitations to participate in cross- training exercises and conferences to up-skill volunteers and promote best practice within both organisations.

They agree to work together towards their common goals to promote boat safety, save lives, enhance the safety of life at sea, protect the marine environment and promote the maritime safety interests of the citizens of both countries.

Colin Small, President of Coastguard New Zealand, says it is great that we are able to foster our international relations with New Caledonia and work together to help our countrymen safe on the water.

“A key part of this relationship is to share valuable information and processes so Coastguard can work to its best capability in keeping Kiwis safe on our waters. This visit will also give our team of volunteers a chance to take part in training exercises with SNSM which can be used as education tools back in New Zealand.”

The Memorandum of Intent will be signed by Coastguard’s President Colin Small and Vice- Admiral (Ret’d) Yves Lagane President of the Sociéte Nationale des Sauveteurs en Mer at a ceremony on Thursday 10 November 2011 in Noumea.

ENDS

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