APS EAST For Immediate Release

HSV SWIFT/USS NICHOLAS PRESS RELEASE #025-10 Feb. 27, 2010

APS ARRIVES IN SEYCHELLES

By Lieutenant S. Maria Lohmeyer, Public Affairs Officer,
Africa Partnership Station East Public Affairs

PORT VICTORIA, Seychelles – High Speed Vessel Swift (HSV 2) today arrived here to

conduct maritime security training and cultural exchanges as part of Africa Partnership Station (APS)

East. Swift’s sister platform for the 2010 APS East mission, the frigate USS Nicholas (FFG 47), will

arrive Monday, Mar. 1.

APS East is a cooperative initiative which aims to unite international partners to enhance

maritime safety and security throughout the African continent.

Swift and Nicholas bring with them teams of maritime experts who provide training and engage

in exercises with the maritime professionals of the APS partner nations. While in Seychelles, instruction

will include visit, board, search and seizure procedures; combat lifesaver first aid; and firefighting and

damage control measures.

“We are thrilled to arrive on this beautiful island in the Seychelles,” said Capt. James Tranoris,

Commander of APS East, “and look forward to training with the Seychellois Coast Guard, which will

ultimately help all of us strengthen maritime safety and security in the region.”

In addition to focusing on in-port training, sailors will take up a community relation (COMREL)

activity to help improve conditions at the St. Elizabeth Boy’s Orphanage, and will play a friendly game of

basketball with members of the Seychellois Coast Guard. Of course, many sailors are looking forward to

exploring the island and the recreational activities it has to offer.

“This place has beautiful mountains, water like glass, and is just a breathtaking view,”

commented Petty Officer 3rd Class Gregory Keith about his first visit to the island, “I can’t wait to take up

some scuba diving and deep sea fishing…and of course enjoy the beach.”

-MORE -
 APS East has been conducting missions along the east coast of Africa for a few years;

however, APS East 2010 marks the first year that the mission includes an international staff of

partnering-nations. Staff officers aboard the HSV-2 Swift from Kenya, Mozambique, Mauritius,

Tanzania, Brazil and the U.S., work directly with the Commander to plan and execute the APS East

mission, offering a deeper level of experience and exchange of ideas about maritime safety and

security in Africa.

After completing training in Djibouti, Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique, and Mauritius, the port

visit to Seychelles marks the final APS East training port for the 2010 mission and presents a bitter

sweet time for its staff.

“While we look forward to returning to our families and completing the mission,” reflected

Brazilian officer Lt. Cdr. Mauro Lima, “we have a lot of good momentum behind building

international relationships and having a positive impact on maritime concerns in this region of the

world.”

Swift and Nicholas are on regular scheduled deployments within the U.S. 6th Fleet area of

responsibility. APS East is being conducted in cooperation with Commander, U.S. Naval Forces

Africa and U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM).

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